STUDIES ON PHYTOPLANKTON RELATED DIVERSITY INDEX OF WESTERN RAMGANGA RIVER ALMORA UTTARAKHAND, INDIA.

Spring fed Western Ramganga river is a hot spot of rich biological diversity. In the present study, the diversity of phytoplankton population and factors that control their growth and biodiversity were investigated. The numerical relationship between species population and communities often provide a better and reliable indication of the pollution than single species. Thus to assess water quality of Western Ramganga river, the phytoplankton densities were studied from one year of the study period (i.e. Jan., 2012 to Dec., 2012) at three sampling sites. In the present work 31 genera of phytoplankton belonging four classes were recorded. On the basis of observed phytoplankton densities, mean Shannon-Weiner diversity index of all three sites was computed. Diversity index is a most effective tool to communicate information on water quality. The mean value of the diversity index in present study indicates moderately polluted status of river water.