STUDIES ON DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF PLANKTON IN ASHWANI STREAM, SOLAN, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA.

The present research article gives an account of the abundance and monthly variation of plankton diversity (i.e., phytoplankton and zooplankton) in Ashwani stream, Solan (H.P.). A total of 17 genera were recorded, out of which 11 belongs to Bacillariophyceae, 5 belongs to Chlorophyceae and 1 belongs to Cyanophyceae. Only single genera (Monostyla) of zooplankton were recorded. Study revealed that phytoplankton population was dominated by members of Bacillariophyceae followed by Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae. Relative abundance of plankton was higher during the December and January month (winter season) and lowest in April month. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]