Plankton diversity and hydro biological parameters at Sarfa dam in Sarfa river district Shahdol (M.P.) India

Abstract

The study provides an extensive investigation into the qualitative and quantitative analysis of plankton diversity and physicochemical water quality parameters in the Sarfa River. Sampling took place at the Sarfa Dam from June 2024 to May 2025, unveiling a rich phytoplankton community composed of 50 genera distributed across five primary classes. Among these, Bacillariophyceae led with 18 genera, closely followed by Chlorophyceae with 20 genera, Cyanophyceae with 9 genera, Euglenophyceae with 2 genera, and Dianophyceae represented by a single genus. Additionally, the qualitative analysis identified a zooplankton community comprising 20 genera spanning Protozoa, Rotifera, Copepoda, and Cladocera. Protozoa accounted for two genera, Copepods for eight genera, Cladocera for five genera, and Rotifera for four. Chlorophyceae emerged as the most dominant phytoplankton class, while Copepods were the predominant class among zooplankton. Variations in physicochemical water quality parameters were observed throughout the study period. The results provide critical insights into the biodiversity and composition of plankton communities within the Sarfa Dam ecosystem.