Diversity and distribution of macrophytes in Nagaram tank of Warangal district, Telangana state

Aquatic plants play an important role in aquatic systems, where they provide food and habitat to fish, wildlife and aquatic organisms. Unfortunately, some aquatic plants often become a problem by stopping uses of water and threaten the structure and function of diverse native aquatic ecosystems. Aquatic weeds are also responsible to reduce the available water resources by way of excess seepage or evapotranspiration process. When seasonal fluctuations occurred, the diversity of aquatic plants is drastically changed and also it blocked the drainage canals of the colonies and irrigations canals badly due to its profuse growth. In the present study, a total of 25 macrophytes were recorded from littoral and sub-littoral zones of the tank at four selected sampling stations. With the floating species like Hydrilla spp. and Lemna spp. were dominant at all sampling stations. Among the rooted floating species Nymphea spp. and Nelumbo spp. recorded from all sampling stations. In sub-merged macrophytes, Ceratophyllum demersum and Utricularia spp. were recorded. An intensive survey of the infestation of the waterways by the aquatic weed populations in the study area documented. This study provides new baseline information on the diversity, distribution and interspecific associations of floating-leafed and submersed aquatic plants in Nagaram tank that will be useful for managing and or controlling the plant species.