Comparative assessment of dominant macrophytes and limnological parameters of Dal lake and Chatlam wetlands in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, India

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the physico-chemical properties of water, with respect to the anthropogenic stresses on the growth and dominance of aquatic macrophytes at the four selected sites in Dal lake and Chatlam wetlands, during the year 2020. We have identified 12 species of macrophytes from the Dal lake and 20 species from the Chatlam wetlands. Highest importance value index (IVI) was observed in Nymphoides peltata (48.98) during summer and the lowest IVI was in Mentha sp . (1.93) during winter in the Chatlam wetlands. On the contrary, in Dal lake the highest IVI values were reported for Azolla sp. (175.34) during summer and lowest for Hydrocharis dubia (10.60) during winters. The average values of Biological oxygen demand (BOD), Chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrate nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen and orthophosphate content in Chatlam were 19.85 ± 0.91(mg/l), 62.5 ± 1.29 (mg/l), 516.25 ± 1.10 ( μ g/l), 291.75 ± 1.55 ( μ g/l) and 136.75 ± 0.47 ( μ g/l) respectively. While in Dal lake, the observed values of these parameters were 27.5 ± 1.49 (mg/l), 61.75 ± 0.85 (mg/l), 636.5 ± 1.04 ( μ g/l), 137 ± 1.31( μ g/l), and 44.6 ± 0.18 ( μ g/l), respectively. We found that the Chatlam wetland (sub-urban area) harbored more macrophytic diversity than the Dal lake (urban). Unplanned development and agricultural activities in the catchment area have significantly contributed to the cultural eutrophication. In lieu of these findings we propose that joint efforts of the researchers, government and the non-governmental organizations be put in for the sustainable conservation of these two wetlands. • Identification of dominant aquatic macrophytes in Dal and Chatlam lakes. • Analysis of the effect of anthropogenic activities on aquatic macrophytes. • Analysis of the physico-chemical properties of water in Dal and Chatlam lakes. • Conservation strategies on eco-restoration of the two lakes.