Eco-biological status of Chotiari reservoir (Distt. Sanghar) Sindh, Pakistan

Studies on some important limnological parameters, plankton productivity and fishery status of Chotiari reservoir was carried out during 2006-07. The hydrological parameters such as; Temperature air and water (30.5-38ºC and. 26.5- 33o C), Secchi depth transparency (25-60ʹ), pH (6.1-8.5), conductivity (504-570μS/cm2), TDS (252-363mg/l), chlorides (25.8-59.9 mg/l), salinity (0.24-0.3) alkalinity (92.5-312.5mg/l), hardness (110-379.2mg/l) and dissolved oxygen (4.8- 7.6mg/l). These parameters were found within the suitable ranges for fish culture. 33 fish species were recorded which belonged to order Cypriniformes, Siluriformes, Clupeiformes and Channiformes. 10 species of zooplankton were recorded. 2 species of rotifers Keratella tropica and Monostyla bulla, and 3 species of genus Bosmina were commonly found. The copepods did not show any markable pattern. 80 species of phytoplankton (algae) were recorded, out of these Green algae (Chlorophyta), Euglenophyta, blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) and diatoms (Bacillariophyta). The most prominent feature of Chotiari area is the presence of aquatic plants, the Typha and Phragmites species were observed in dominant form. Total 15 species of macrophytes were recorded. Submerged plants Hydrilla sp. Potamogeton sp. Ceratophyllum sp. were found on the bottom.