The response of phytoplankton assemblages to environmental parameters in the Azad Dam Lake in the west of Iran.

Eker-Develi, Elif

Seasonal variations of phytoplankton abundance, species composition, and their interaction with environmental parameters were investigated in the Azad Dam Lake, in the West of Iran during 2015–2016. Sampling was conducted seasonally at five stations in the lake.Multivariate statistical analyses were carried out to define the abiotic variables influencing phytoplankton community composition. A total of 51 taxa of phytoplankton belonging to six phyla were identified. Bacillariophyta (diatoms) were most diverse with 22 taxa, comprised more than 90%of the total density. Despite the low Shannon–Wiener index (H0) diversity (0.10–1.54), pointing out the dominant density of Bacillariophyta resulted in high water quality. Statistical analysis showed seasonal phytoplankton assemblages differences i...