Occurrence of plankton community in selected brackish water fishpond in southern part of Surigao del Sur, Philippines

Abstract

Jaynos R Cortes*, Ruby L Ordona and Jonah M de Jesus

This study aimed to determine the plankton abundance in selected brackish water fishponds in southern part of Surigao del Sur. A one-shot sampling was done on February 2019 at Lingig, Bislig and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. This was conducted to identify which of the selected brackish water fishponds has the highest and least productivity of plankton. All the water quality parameters such as the temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, ammonia, salinity and nitrite were within the optimal ranges for plankton productivity in all stations. A total of four groups of phytoplankton; Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Dinophyceae and Chlorophyceae and six groups of zooplankton; Rotifera, Copepad, Cladoceran, Tintinnida (ciliate), Protozoa and Pelecypod larva were identified. The phytoplankton comprised of 33 genera in which Cyanophyceae was recorded the most abundant followed by Bacillariophyceae, Dinophycea and Chlorophyceae. The zooplankton comprised of 16 genera in which Copepod was recorded the most abundant followed by Rotifer, Pelecypod larva, Tintinnid and Protozoa. The most abundant phytoplankton in terms of location, Hinatuan recorded the most followed by Lingig and lastly, Bislig. Zooplankton was recorded most in Bislig followed by Hinatuan and Lingig. The most diverse phytoplankton was recorded in Lingig followed by Hinatuan and Bislig. Zooplankton was most diversed in Bislig followed by Lingig and least in Hinatuan. It was concluded that the phytoplankton groups provide the main support for earthen fishpond aquaculture compared to zooplankton group. It is further recommended to conduct follow up research with longer period to come up with more comprehensive data on the abundance of plankton community.