Phytoplankton Diveristy in Lower Terna Project, Makani, (M.S) India

Abstract Wherever the sunlight is found, there were occurrences of phytoplankton, they dispersed evenly and go down to different depths. The phytoplankton diversity was scientifically researched from the lower Terna reservoir, Makani from January to December 2023. Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Euglenophyceae were accounted for by 12, 07, 09 and 1 species respectively. Phytoplankton, the microscopic primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, play a crucial role in sustaining ecological balance and assessing water quality. The present study investigates the diversity of phytoplankton in the Lower Terna reservoir, Makani, Maharashtra, from January to December 2023. Systematic sampling and taxonomic identification revealed the occurrence of four major groups—Chlorophyceae (12 species), Cyanophyceae (7 species), Bacillariophyceae (9 species), and Euglenophyceae (1 species). Among them, Pediastrum and Ulothrix were the most dominant Chlorophyceae species, while Microcystis and Lyngbya prevailed among Cyanophyceae. The observed species composition highlights the reservoir’s ecological productivity and provides insight into its trophic status. The findings contribute to understanding phytoplankton dynamics in semi-arid regions and emphasize their significance as bioindicators in monitoring freshwater ecosystems.