Diversity of Chlorophyceae in Some Wetlands of Nkwen in the City of Bamenda (North-West Region, Cameroon).

Abstract:

Chlorophyceae are one of the classes of green algae, distinguished mainly on the basis of ultra-structural morphology and at the basis of trophic chains. Human activities lead to imbalance of aquatic ecosystems and disappearance of primary producers. The aim of the study was to determine the diversity and distribution of Chlorophyceae in some wetlands of Bamenda. Data collection and samples were taken from June 2023 to May 2024 in all the study sites. The sampling of Chlorophyceae was done using plankton net for phytoplankton, and scrabbing for periphyton. Diversity indices showed significant variations in the different study sites. The species richness amounted to 3 orders divided in 11 families, 13 genera and 22 species. The most dominant family was Chlamydomonadaceae with 5 species; followed by Selenastraceae with 4 species. Chlorophyceae are not more diversified in Nkwen Rivers. They are greatly adaptive and characterized organisms, and may survive in different environmental conditions.