Article

Introduction:

An aquatic or terrestrial plant that grows permanently or seasonally in or near water and can be seen by the naked eye is referred to as a macrophyte. A variety of organisms that can be found in aquatic and moist settings, such as freshwater macroalgae, ferns (Pteridophyte), mosses and liverworts (Bryophytes) and Angiosperm [18]. Using their life form as a basis, the macrophytes were divided into four classes are Submerged, Emergent, Free-floating and Rooted-floating [20].

Macrophytes are crucial for ecology since they are producer, supply food for birds, fish, invertebrates and macro-organisms [9]. Additionally, they provide fish, birds, and numerous other species with a habitat [1] [21]. Macrophytes are very important for the survival of a wide variety of organisms.  In the aquatic system, submerged macrophytes are the oxygen generators by turning light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. Macrophytes are essential in oxygenation and provide nutrients and nourishment to the aquatic organisms [4][8]. They also sustain the aquatic ecosystem through transpiration, mineral cycling, sedimentation and the release of biogenic gases into the atmosphere. Water quality is influenced by productivity, nutrient retention, and the accumulation of heavy metals [5] [11] [12]. Macrophytes are utilized as bioindicators of water pollution because of their ability to react to changes in the organic, mineral and water quality. They work as indicators for monitoring the change in the aquatic ecosystem. Due to their ability to lower biological oxygen requirements, aquatic macrophytes are increasingly used in wastewater treatment systems to biofilter organic waste [13]. Macrophytes can be used as vermicompost, biochar and biofertilizer [17]. Many of these macrophytes can be harmful if present in large quantity for aquatic ecosystem [3]. Nowadays, an increase in pollution, anthropogenic activity, acidification, invasions by alien species, eutrophication and change in climate unpredictably cause freshwater ecosystems to lose their native biodiversity more quickly than most terrestrial ecosystems  [6]. The aquatic ecosystem is significant to humans as well. However, a number of factors like pollution, the introduction of foreign species, the degradation of habitats, and overharvesting are destroying these ecosystems these days. Therefore, there is an immediate need to understand the potential and significance of aquatic biodiversity if we want to protect and preserve native species.

Material and Methods

Study Area: Bhadrawati city is located in the district of Chandrapur in Maharashtra, India. Bhadrawati city is at 26 km from Chandrapur city between Latitude 20⁰6’35” N and Longitude 79⁰7’2” E, which spreads over 20 km² (8 sq mi).

The Gaurala Lake is a perennial water body, located near the Gaurala locality area on the way to the Railway Station Road, Bhadrawati. The main source of water is the rainwater during the monsoon. The primary use is washing, bathing, fishing and Singhada (Trapa natans L.) cultivation. West side of the lake has a hill, on that hill, a Ganesh temple is established.  The longitude 79.109781 and latitude 20.089178 are above the mean sea level 269.73±5 meters as shown in Figure 1.

The Masanghat Lake is a perennial water body, situated behind Nilkanthrao Shinde Science and Arts College, approximately half a kilometer, on the West side of Bhadrawati at above 234.14±5 meters mean sea level. The longitude is 79.113072 and the latitude is 20.112695. This lake is called “Masanghat” because the nearby lake is a Hindu Crematory site. The main source of water is from rainy water during the monsoon season, as well as from municipal drainage, as shown in Figure 2.

Sampling and Identification: Visited monthly to both the lakes at regular interval from September 2023 to August 2024. Observed macrophytes from shallow water and deep water and Photographs have been taken. Macrophytes identified on the basis of morphology with the help of standard Floras and literature [7] [22].  Macrophytes are classified based on their life form and habitat and habit. (Table-1)

Result and discussion:

In this present study, different type of macrophytes observed from both Gaurala lake and Masanghat lake, total 26 aquatic macrophytes were recorded belonging to 17 families during the study period. In Gaurala lake, total 25 species of macrophyte recorded while in Masanghat lake 19 species of macrophytes were recorded.  Among these macrophytes 02 species are of Algae contributes including Chara globularis J.I Thuiller and Nitella and 05 species are of Pteridophyte contributes including Azolla pinnata R.Br., Salvinia molesta L. Salvinia natans L., Marsilea minuta L. and Marsilea quadrifolia L. and remaining all 20 species are of Angiosperm. It shows that Angiosperm is dominance over Algae and Pteridophyte in both lakes.  These macrophytes divided into four group as Submerged, Emergent, Free floating and Rooted floating.

Free floating macrophytes are those which are float above the water surface freely, their roots are not attached to the bottom like, Lemna minor L., Salvinia molesta L., Salvinia natans L., Wolfia sp, Spirodella polyrhiza, Pistia stratiotes L. and Azolla pinnata R. Br. Total 07 Free floating macrophyte were found in the Gaurala lake and 05 Free floating macrophyte were found in the Masanghat lake.

Rooted floating macrophytes are those that float above the surface of water but their roots are anchored to the bottom, like Nymphaea nouchli Burm. F., Trapa natans L., Jussiaea repens L. and Nymphoides hydrophilla. A total of 4 Rooted floating macrophytes were found in the Gaurala lake and only single species of Rooted floating macrophyte i.e., Jussiaea repens L. was found in the Masanghat lake.

Submerged macrophyte are those that germinate and grow beneath the water, like Ceratophyllum demersum L., Chara globularis J.I. Thuiller, Nitella furcate and a rooted submerged like Ipomaea aquatica Forsk. A total of 04 Submerged macrophytes were found in Gaurala Lake and 02 species of rooted submerged macrophytes i.e., Ipomaea aquatica Forsk and Ceratophyllum demersum L.  found in Masanghat lake.

Emergent macrophytes are those which grow in shallow water and near wet area like Ipomoea carnea Jacq., Typha angustata Bory and Chaub and Marsilea quadrifolia L. A total of 10 emergent macrophytes were found in Gaurala Lake while 11 emergent macrophyte found in Masanghat Lake.

Observation

Total 26 macrophytes of different category observed belonging to 19 families during September 2023 to August 2024 in Gaurala and Masanghat Lake (Table -1).

In Gaurala Lake total 25 species of macrophytes recorded while in Masanghat Lake 19 species of macrophytes were recorded. In Gaurala Lake 07 Free floating, 04 Rooted floating, 04 Submerged and 10 Emergent macrophytes were found. While in Masanghat Lake, 05 Free floating, 01 Rooted floating, 02 Submerged and 11 Emergent Macrophytes were found. Both Gaurala Lake and Masanghat Lake have different floristic biodiversity, inflow source, surrounding, and vegetation inflow source. Gaurala Lake has more species than Masanghat lake like Azolla pinnata R. Br, Nymphea nouchli Burm. F., Trapa natans L., Nymphoides hydrophilla, Ceratophyllum demersum L., Chara globularis J.I. Thuiller and Nitella furcate. Masanghat Lake has fewer macrophytes than Gaurala Lake due to this lake receive water from the surrounding area and municipal drainage. Pistia stratiotes L., Salvinia molesta L., Salvinia natans L., Lemna minor L., Spirodella polyrhiza, Jussiaea repens L., Ipomaea aquatica Forsk and Ipomoea carnea Jacq. They were dominant in both lakes (Table 1). The photographs are also given below Table 1.

Studies on aquatic macrophytes and their distribution have been carried out by many scholars. 57 macrophyte belonging to 32 families and 46 genera in Mohabala lake of Bhadrawati, district of Chandrapur, Maharashtra [10].  16 species of macrophyte found in Sakhy sagar lake, Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh [2].  22 species of macrophyte observed in Nandgaon and Arwat lake of Chandrapur dist. Maharashtra [7]. 16 aquatic weed species recorded in lake of Konsari village, Chamorshi taluka of Gadchiroli, Maharashtra [19].  17 species of macrophytes recorded and divided into four groups like, namely 06 free-floating suspended submerged, 05 rooted floating leaf weeds, 02 rooted submerged hydrophytes and 04 in submerged floating weeds. Researcher found Pistia and Salvinia sp. were dominant in Gudgaon Lake in Bhadrawati, Dist-Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India [14]. 15 species of macrophytes recorded belonging to 04 groups such as 06 free-floating, 05 rooted floating leaf weeds, 02 rooted submerged hydrophytes and 02 submergeds floating weeds in Chora Lake in Bhadrawati, Dist-Chandrapur, Maharashtra, India [15]. 21 species of macrophytes recorded including 07 free floating suspended submerged, 07 submerged floating weeds and 07 rooted submerged hydrophytes in Popatkhed Dam, Near Akot Tahsil, Dist-Chandrapur, (M.S.) India [16].

Conclusion

Presence of Macrophytes in lakes have a significant impact on preserving the ecosystem’s ecological balance. In an attempt to preserve biodiversity and ensure its sustainable use, it is necessary that people learn good management practices. Strict legal measures should also be implemented, and a variety of non-governmental organizations should get involved to spread awareness of the ecosystem’s significance to human society.

Acknowledgement: My sincere thanks to my guide for providing valuable guidance and support. I also thanks to Dr. L.S. Ladke, Principal office of the Nilkanthrao Shinde Science and Arts College for providing laboratory facilities in the college and moral support.

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