The Plankton Diversity as a Qualitative Indicator in different Sites of Upper Lake, Bhopal (M.P), India

Abstract

This study qualitatively estimated Planktons, phyto and zooplankton in Bhopal's Upper Lake (Bhoj Tal), Madhya Pradesh, for a four-month period from October 2024 to January 2025. Ten species of phytoplankton and nine species of zooplankton were identified during the study. During the study, the mean plankton population was 33-464 units/L for phytoplankton and 27.5-265.5 units/L for zooplankton. Phytoplankton populations were led by cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.), indicating nutrient enrichment and the onset of eutrophic conditions, particularly at site A1. Zooplankton range was relatively higher and more balanced at site A3, with Cyclops, Daphnia, and Moina emerging as the most dominant genera. Diversity indices (Shannon-Wiener and Simpson's) varied significantly across sites. Site A3 exhibited the highest range (0.55–0.74), indicating a more resilient and evenly distributed zooplankton community, likely due to consistent resource availability and environmental conditions. These variations highlight the ecological complexity and dynamic nature of the lake system. The study of various physico-chemical and biological parameters revealed medium productivity, and appropriate management could improve production at all trophic levels.