Phytoplankton diversity and abundance in Setiu Wetlands

Abstract

Phytoplankton is a wandering micro-organism that moved by current that functions as aquatic food chain and primary producer. A study was done in Setiu Wetlands where 12 stations were established during non-monsoon (6 September 2003), intermediate monsoon (9 October 2003) and monsoon season (3 December 2003). The water samples were obtained from approximately 0.5 - 1.0 meter deep. Water (42 L) was filtered using by a 20 μm nanoplankton net. The phytoplankton was preserved with Lugol's iodine. The total number of phytoplankton was counted and identified using Lackey's drop. All the data was calculated using Shannon diversity index, Evenness index, correlation and regression. The species richness in Station 5 was the highest during three seasons.