Epipelic diatom diversity as a bioindicator in River Aturukuku, Eastern Uganda

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.author Ochieng, Hannington
dc.contributor.author Magezi, Godfrey
dc.contributor.author Gandhi, Willy P.
dc.contributor.author Okot-Okumu, James
dc.contributor.author Odong, Robinson
dc.date.accessioned 2022-05-05T09:04:59Z
dc.date.available 2022-05-05T09:04:59Z
dc.date.issued 2022-03
dc.identifier.uri https://doi.org/10.60682/6n71-n769
dc.description Article en_US
dc.description.abstract Background: Despite their key ecological functions and application in biomonitoring, little is known about the algal flora in Uganda, especially those of lotic systems. Aim: This study related the community composition of the epipelic diatoms to environmental variables to establish the influence of rural and urban activities on water quality and on the biota on spatial and seasonal scales along River Aturukuku in Eastern Uganda. Methods: Epipelic diatoms and selected environmental variables were compared among sites: two urban, a reference site upstream, and a site downstream from the urban area, spanning the dry and wet seasons from February to October, 2018. Results: Total phosphorus and nitrogen concentrations were above the natural threshold in the river. The diatom species such as Gyrosigma attenuatum and Placoneis gastrum, tolerant of pollution, dominated in the river. Total phosphorus, pH, temperature, and bottom substrates were most related to the composition of the diatom communities. The abundances of P. gastrum and Sellaphora nyassensis correlated with increased pH at the urban sewage effluent, suggesting that they are potential indicators of this kind of polluted environment. Conclusions: The study provides baseline information on diatom community, and is relevantfor biomonitoring and biodiversity conservation in Uganda and other tropical countries. KEYWORDS: Biological integrity; catchment degradation; diatoms; ecological functions; species tolerance en_US
dc.description.sponsorship National Fisheries Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Organisation, Consultant Environment and Natural Resources, Makerere University, Busitema University en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher Taylor & Francis Group. en_US
dc.subject Biological integrity en_US
dc.subject Catchment degradation en_US
dc.subject Diatoms en_US
dc.subject Ecological functions en_US
dc.subject Species tolerance en_US
dc.title Epipelic diatom diversity as a bioindicator in River Aturukuku, Eastern Uganda en_US
dc.type Article en_US


Files in this item

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search BUOADIR


Browse

My Account