diversity of aquatic weeds at noakhali sadar in bangladesh · 2016-11-04 · diversity of aquatic...

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH

© 2016,Science Huβ, http://www.scihub.org/AJSIR

ISSN: 2153-649X, doi:10.5251/ajsir.2016.7.5.117.128

Diversity of Aquatic Weeds at Noakhali Sadar in Bangladesh

Md. Imrul Kaisar1, Ripon Kumar Adhikary2, Moon Dutta1, Shuva Bhowmik3*

1Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh,

Bangladesh 2Department of Fisheries and Marine Bioscience, Jessore University of Science

and Technology, Jessore, Bangladesh 3Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University,

Mymensingh, Bangladesh

*Corresponding author: Shuva Bhowmik, Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to investigate the aquatic weeds diversity and abundance at Noakhali Sadar, Bangladesh. This paper focused on species variation, number of species, water quality parameters and identification of aquatic weeds. It was assessed by collecting samples from two fish cultured ponds, two floodplains and two roadside canals during May to October, 2013. According to this study, total 22 species belonging to 12 orders, 16 families and 21 genus were found. Again, 46%, 28%, 26% of total aquatic weeds were identified from the floodplains, roadside canals and culture ponds, respectively. During this study period, nine species of family Pontederiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Menyanthaceae, Asteraceae, Poaceae, Araceae, Amaranthaceae, Polygonaceae were common in culture ponds, floodplains and roadside canals. Number of aquatic weeds was lowest in culture ponds due to the effective management. Noticeable species– Lemna minor, Marsilea quadrifolia, Ludwigia palustris, Aeschynomene aspera, Najas graminea, Hydrilla verticillata, Najas guadalupensis, Utricularia inflata were only found in floodplains. On the other hand, two species were common in fish cultured ponds and floodplain- Pistia stratiotes and Equisetum hyemale. Prominent species of roadside canals were Cyperus rotundus and Xanthium indicum. Management technique and water quality parameters were also studied during study period namely water temperature, salinity, transparency, dissolve oxygen (DO) and pH. Average pH was recorded 7.6, 8.0 and 8.5 in fish cultured ponds, Floodplains and roadside canals, respectively. pH was highest in roadside canals because of its high dead organic load. Furthermore, DO levels were stable at 5.25, 4.6 and 4.75 ppm in fish cultured ponds, Floodplains and roadside canals, respectively. This difference may arise due to the using of aerator in the cultured ponds same as decomposition, intensity of light in floodplains and roadside canals. In average,

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Transparency was 40 cm in floodplains and roadside canals; the lowest transparency 30 cm in cultured ponds due to use of hormonal feed and fertilizer. Temperature was recorded 300C in an average and no significant difference among the water bodies. The infestation of freshwater bodies by aquatic weeds influences water management in ponds, rivers, reservoirs and canals. This study reveals that weed species are varied among the culture ponds, floodplains and roadside canals and their density is also different. This study will help in the perfect management of the aquaculture systems to increase the fish production and hence will develop the economy. Keywords: Aquatic weeds, cultured ponds, floodplains, roadside canals and effective management.

INTRODUCTION

The vegetation of haors, beels, lakes, and ponds rich in aquatic weed and constitute very important resources of food medicine for rural population (Khan et al., 2011). Aquatic weeds constitute an important role in aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the general fitness and diversity of a healthy aquatic ecosystem (Flint and Madsen, 1995) by acting as indicators for water quality and aiding in nutrient cycling (Carpenter and Lodge, 1986). From ecological point of view, aquatic plants stabilize bottom sediment, protect the shoreline from wave erosion, and serve as feeding and nesting habitat for waterfowl. These plants provide food, shelter and reproductive habitat or breeding ground for numerous fish and other aquatic animals (Lancer et al., 2002).

The excessive growth of aquatic weed restricts fishing, swimming and recreational activities, causes foul taste and odor of drinking water supplies. It also leads to stunting of fish populations and fish kill due to decomposition (Lansing, 2005). Plants are a necessary component of pond ecosystems because they perform valuable functions. Photosynthesizing plants produce oxygen that is needed to sustain fish life. Also, plants assimilate ammonia that is excreted by fish thereby helping to prevent accumulation of potentially toxic

concentrations of ammonia. Nevertheless, plants can cause problems in ponds and control measures often must be used to eliminate or reduce their abundance (Durborow, 2007). Most filamentous algae begin growing on the bottom of the pond and rise to the surface when gas bubbles become entrapped in the plant mass. These filamentous algae are also known as “pond scum” or more commonly “moss” (Tucker, 2007). Higher aquatic plants also known as aquatic weeds, are those plants which growing in or near water and complete at least a part of their life cycle in water resources (Durborow, 2007). The Macrophytes are classified broadly into six groups based upon their size, shape and growth habits. Following are classified as submersed weeds, emerged weeds, marginal weeds and floating weeds (Joshi, 2012). Many aquatic weeds such as Pistia stratiotes, Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia crassipes etc. are used for making compost fertilizer to use in fish pond and agriculture land .Some fishes use aquatic weed as food. Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) largely uses aquatic weed as food. Tilapia spp. Cyprinus carpio use weeds as food to some extent. Many fishes eat soft parts of these plants in small quantity. Moreover these plants harbour many insects, small invertebrates and periphyton which are used

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as fish food. Rooted aquatic weeds prevent erosion of bottom soil. Colloidal particles aggregate and become heavier and settle to the bottom due to presence of higher aquatic plants as because colloidal particles are negatively charged and higher aquatic plants produce positively charged ions. However, they can be used carefully in well-managed and controlled conditions that can

increase fish production and as animal food and as fertilizer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Description of selected area: Culture ponds of SABI and BAP, floodplains of Bangla Bazar and NSTU; roadside canals of Zed More and NSTU were selected to accomplish the experiment (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1: Map showed the location of research station

Sample collection: The samples were collected on selected site basis from selected area in using different plastic bags for each sample. The samples were collected from water surface and below the water surface in the morning hour between 8-10 am. The samples were taken to the laboratory within one hour.

Taking photographs: Samples were kept in different tray at laboratory. Color photographs of the individual weeds were

taken at different angles & views. Photographs were taken in fresh condition of the specimen using a digital camera.

Taxonomic study and identification: Based on the photographs and sample observation taxonomy of the samples were determined within 3-4 h by using several books.

Data analyses: Data were processed and finally analyzed with Microsoft Excel 2007.

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RESULTS

Aquatic weeds abundance: At the time of study, different types of species of weeds were found in the study area. The available

weeds in the selected area are given in Table with their local names and scientific names (Table 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5).

Table 1: Available species of Aquatic weed in two fish farms (SABI and BAP) Table 1.1: Culture pond of SABI

SL No. Local name Scientific name

1 Kachuri pana Eichhornia crassipes

2 Kalmilata Ipomaea aquatica

3 Topa pana Pistia stratiotes

4 Malancha Alternanthere philoxeroidis

5 Arail Leersia hexandra

6 Tara lota Mikania cordata

7 Spike rush Equisetum hyemale

8 Chand mala Nymphoides aquatica

9 Kochu Colocasia esculenta

10 Biskatali Polygonum coccineum

11 Helencha Enhydra fluctuans

Table 1.2: Culture pond of BAP









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Table 2: Available species of Aquatic weeds in floodplains Table 2.1: Floodplains I



2 Shapla Nymphaea nouchali




6 Chand mala Nymphodies aquatica

7 Hobon Utricularia inflate






13 Goromi Najas guadalupensis

14 Kormota Ludwigia palustris

15 Shushni pata Marsilea quadrifolia


17 Khudi pana Lemna minor

18 Hydrilla grass Hydrilla verticillata

19 Najas grass Najas graminea

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Table 2.2: Floodplains II


1 Kachuripana Eichhornia crassipes




5 Chand mala Nymphodies aquatica

6 Hobon Utricularia inflata




10 Vatshola Aeschynomene aspera


12 Goromi Najas guadalupensis


Table 3: Available species of Aquatic weeds in Roadside canals Table 3.1: Roadside Canal I

SL No.

Local name Scientific name










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Table 3.2: Roadside Canal II












11 Mutha Cyperus rotundus

12 Gagra Xanthium indicum

Table 4: Generic status of the aquatic weeds recorded from selected site during study period

SL Order Family Genus Species Habitat Type

01 Commelinales Pontederiaceae Eichhornia

E. crassipes CP,FP,RC

02 Alismatales

Araceae

Pistia P. stratiote CP,FP

Colocasia C. esculenta CP,FP,RC

Lemna Lemna minor FP

Hydrocharitaceae Najas

N. guadalupensis N. graminea

FP FP

Hydrilla H. verticillata FP

03 Solanales Convolvulaceae Ipomoea I. aquatica CP,FP.RC

04 Poales Poaceae Leersia L. hexandra CP,FP.RC

Cyperaceae Cyperus C. rotundus RC

05 Asterales

Asteraceae

Enhydra E. fluctuans CP,FP,RC

Mikania M. cordata CP,FP.RC

Xanthium X. indicum RC

Menyanthaceae Nymphoides N. aquatica CP,FP,RC

06 Nymphaeales Nymphaeaceae Nymphaea N. nouchali FP,RC

07 Lamiales Lentibulariaceae Utricularia U. inflate FP

08 Caryophyllales Amaranthaceae Alternanthera A CP,FP,RC

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.philoxeroides

Polygonaceae Polygonum P. coccineum CP,FP,RC

09 Equisetales Equisetaceae Equisetum E. hyemale CP,FP

10 Myrtales Onagraceae Ludwigia L. palustris FP

11 Salviniales Marsileaceae Marsilea M. quadrifolia FP

12 Fabales Fabaceae Aeschynomene A. aspera FP

**CP= Cultured Ponds; FP= Floodplains; RC= Roadside Canal Table 5: Number of Order, Family, Genus, and Species in different habitat type

Habitat Type No. of Order No. of Family No. of Genus No. of Species

Culture Pond 7 9 11 11

Floodplains 12 15 19 20

Roadside Canal 6 9 12 12

Table 6: Different water quality parameters

Parameters Culture Pond (CP) Floodplains (FP) Roadside canals(RC)

DO mg/l 5.25±0.25 4.6±0.3 4.75±0.25

pH 7.5±0.3 8±0.17 8.5±0.2

Salinity (ppt) 0 0 0

Temperature (0 C) 29±0.25 30±0.30 30±0.30

Transparency(cm) 30±0.12 40±0.25 40±0.25

Species variation in different water bodies: Aquatic weed density was found variable among the two culture ponds, two non- culture ponds and two roadside ponds.

The highest aquatic weed percentage was observed in two floodplains and lowest density was found in roadside canals and culture ponds respectively (Fig. 2).

Culture

Ponds

26%

Floodplains

46%

Roadside

Canal

28%Culture Pond

Floodplains

Roadside Canal

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Fig. 2: Percentage of species in different water bodies (two cultural ponds, two floodplains and two roadside canals)

Comparison of aquatic weed in different water bodies: Among the two culture ponds, two floodplains and two roadside canals different types of aquatic weed were

found. Highest amount of species variation found in the floodplains. On the other hand, culture ponds and roadside canals showed the lowest number of species (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3: Comparison of aquatic weeds in different water bodies

Water quality parameters observed in the different water bodies: The water quality parameters of the studied culture ponds were found within the suitable range and therefore the water quality is good for fish production (Table 6).

Concentration of DO in successive water bodies: DO levels were high in culture

ponds than other floodplains and roadside canals (Fig. 4). In culture ponds there was requirement of aeration because sometimes there is a complete decline of dissolved oxygen, leading to the deaths of a great number of fish.

0

5

10

15

20

Culture Pond Floodplains Roadside

Canal

Culture Pond

Floodplains

Roadside

Canal

Habitat type

No

of

spec

ies

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Fig. 4: DO concentration in different water bodies DISCUSSION

Many aquatic weeds are desirable since they may play temporarily a beneficial role in reducing agricultural, domestic and industrial pollution. There is no information on nationwide survey of aquatic weed diversity in Bangladesh; however that study did not focused on species. No systematic attempt to know the weed diversity status in Bangladesh is on-going. If a nationwide survey is carried out, it will reveal the real picture on the diversity of weed species and the trend in Bangladesh. No endemic plants may also develop large uncontrollable populations when intentionally or accidentally introduced in areas where there are no natural enemies to check their growth. A total of 22 species of 16 families, 12 orders and 21 genuses were found. Among them some was highly dominated and some are only found in single selected site. During this study period, nine species- Eichhornia crassipes, Ipomaea aquatica, Nymphiodes aquatica, Enhydra fluctuans, Leersia hexandra, Mikania cordata, Colocasia esculenta, Polygonum coccineum, Alternanthere philoxeroydis were common in culture ponds, floodplain and roadside canals. But their abundance is significantly different. Rahman (2013)

recorded the total angiosperm weed species under 123 genera and 50 families were recorded in this study. Out of the total number of species 98 were frequent, 41 were abundant, 15 were rare and 1 was very rare species. Eight species were only found in floodplain – Lemna minor, Marsilea quadrifolia, Ludwigia palustris, Aeschynomene aspera, Najas graminea, Hydrilla verticillata, Najas guadalupensis, Utricularia inflata. This species are easily adapted in large areas. On the other hands, two species were common in culture ponds and floodplain- Pistia stratiotes and Equisetum hyemale. Cyperus rotundus and Xanthium indicum were the two species which only found in roadside canals. Chowdhury and Ahmed (2012) included a total of 29 genera belonging to 24 families of aquatic macrophytes were recorded. Regarding this study, Culture ponds had the lowest number of species because of proper maintenance through farm owner. Sathyanathan and Jayam (2012) recorded the major aquatic weeds found in Kerala include Salvinia spp., Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia stratiotes, Alternanthera spp., Azolla, common duckweed, and Hydrilla verticillata. Reduction or elimination of aquatic weeds is possible through well planned management

CP FP RC

5.25

4.6 4.75pp

m

Habitat Type

CP

FP

RC

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strategies which includes preventive and control (biological, physical, chemical, eco-physiological) measures. Weeds species make loss of water through evapotranspiration in addition to obstruction caused in flow of water. Most of these weeds are found in shallow and medium deep water bodies and continuous flowing canals and drainage ditches.

About 20 Species were identified from Floodplain area. Floodplain which was shallow in depth and was also could not highly maintain and which was rich with household and other organic wastes. Decomposition accelerates and weeds can take their nutrients and finally increased in number. Floodplains was important sources of aquatic weeds, they sustain a range of aquatic weed throughout the year, served as refuges for fish and weed during dry season. Water-hyacinth, Duckweeds, Azolla and Algae are commonly grown in flooded rice fields, ponds, canals, road side ditches and other water reserves. Mohammed et al., (2009) detected eight aquatic plants have been incriminated as weeds. From the current study, the most prevalent of these weeds are water hyacinth and cattail plants. Aquatic weeds cause taste and odor problems and also increase biological oxygen demand because of organic loading. They increase the organic matter content of water which affects the strength of the concrete structures when used as curing and mixing water. Water temperature is a pre-requisite for increasing the weed density. Temperature and pH value was recorded 29.0-30.00C and 7.5-7.8 in cultured ponds, 28.0-320C and 7.9-8.2 in floodplains, 29.0-310C and 8.3-8.7 in roadside canals respectively. Chowdhury et al., (2007) recorded the temperature yearly ranged from 18.50C in December to 33.720C in August and pH value is 7.12-8.68 at

Borobila beel in Rangpur district. Eloff and Vander (1981) reported that temperature 270C to 290C in fish culture pond at pH value 6.5 to 10.5. DO levels were stable at ranged from 5.25 ppm in culture ponds and 4.6 ppm was recorded in two experimental floodplains, 4.75 in roadside canals respectively. This difference may arise due to the using of aerator in the culture ponds and decomposition in floodplains and roadside canals. According to this study, transparency was 28-32 cm in culture ponds, 36-44 cm in floodplains, and 38-42 cm in roadside canals. But this wide range of variation in pond due to the using only hormonal feed and not using other feed and fertilizer. During this study there was no salinity found in the study area, which hampers the growth of aquatic weeds. High levels of salinity in wastewater can limit the growth of water hyacinth and other aquatic macrophytes (Sooknah and Wilkie, 2004). Chowdhury et al., (2012) showed that the physicochemical conditions of both the habitats indicate that very poor number of macrophytes can grow in the shrimp culture ponds due to high salinity of water and soil. Ried (1979) reported that the transparency of water depends on several factors such as silting, plankton density, suspended organic matter, latitude, season and the angle and intensity of incident light.

CONCLUSION

Macrophytes are an important component of the aquatic ecosystem and broad changes in the abundance of individual species and community composition provide valuable information on how and why an ecosystem might be changing. Macrophytes are also becoming increasingly valued as a means of indirectly monitoring water quality as, for instance, eutrophication can produce a progressive change in species composition and a loss of species diversity. Aquatic

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weeds concentrations highly responsive to nutrient levels, temperatures, transparency, DO level and also the management option. So density of weeds varies from water bodies to water bodies on the basis of water quality parameter etc. Study of diversity of aquatic weeds is important for evaluating the water quality and also the fish production.

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Carpenter, S.R and Lodge, D.M (1986). Effects of submersed macrophytes on ecosystem processes. Aquatic Botany., 26:341-370.

Chowdhury, M.M.R., Mondol, M.R.K and Sarker, C (2007). Seasonal variation of plankton population of Borobilabeel in Rangpur district. J. zool., 26: 49-54.

Chowdhury, A. H and Ahmed, R (2012). Water, Sediment and Macrophyte quality of some Shrimp Culture ponds and freshwater ecosystems of Koyra, Bangladesh. J. Bot., 41(1): 35-41.

Durborow, M., Tucker, S., Gomelsky, I., Onders, J and Mims, D (2007). Aquatic Weed Control in Ponds. 22pp.

Eloff, J.N and Van Der, A.J (1981). Toxicology studies on Microcystis. In: The Water Environment Algal Toxin and Health. Carmichael, W. W(eds.). Plenum Press, New York. 343-364pp.

Flint, N.A and Madsen, J.D (1995). The effect of temperature and day length on the germination of Potamogeton nodosustubers. Journal of Freshwater Ecology., 10:125-128.

Joshi, P.P (2012). Study on Diversity, Taxonomy and Impact of Macrophytes on the Fresh Water Resources (Minor Project-Dam) of Yavatmal District, Maharashtra, INDIA.

International Research Journal of Environment Science., 1(5):1-5.

Khan, M.S and Halim, M (2011). Aquatic Angiosperms of Bangladesh. Bangladesh National Herbarium, Dhaka.

Lancer, L and Krake, K (2002). Aquatic Weed and their Management. International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. 65pp.

Lansing, M.I (2005). Aquatic Plant Management: Best Management Practices in Support of Fish and Wildlife Habitat. Ecosystem Restoration Foundation, 78pp.

Mohammed, H.A and Ovie, S.I (2009). Current diversity of aquatic macrophytes in Nigerian freshwater ecosystem. Braz. J. Aquat. Sci. Technol,, 13(2):9-15.

Rahman, A.H.M (2013). A Checklist of Common Angiosperm Weeds of Rajshahi District, Bangladesh. International Journal of Agricultural and Soil Science, 1(1): 1-6.

Reid, G.K (1979). Ecology of Inland waters and Estuaries. 3rd Printing. Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York.

Sathyanathan, N and Jayan P.R (2012). Aquatic weed classification, environmental effects and the management technologies for its effective control in Kerala, India. Int J Agric & Biol Eng., 5(1): 76-90.

Sooknah, R.D and Wilkie, A.C (2004). Nutrient removal by floating aquatic macrophytes cultured in anaerobically digested flushed dairy manure wastewater. Ecological Engineering., 22: 27-42.

Tucker, S., Gomelsky, I., Onders, M.J and Durborow, M.D (2007). Aquatic Weed Control in Ponds. 22pp.

diversity of aquatic weeds at noakhali sadar in bangladesh · 2016-11-04 · diversity of aquatic...

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