Lipid Profiles in Aquatic Plants of Wular Lake, a Protected Wetland in the Himalayas
Keywords:
Aquatic macrophytes, ecological groups, total lipids, Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton crispus, peak growth period.Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate total lipid content in 15 fresh water macrophytes belonging to
four ecological groups and examining the possible variations between the studied periods. The
samples were obtained from nine sites throughout the Wular lake, during March to December 2011,
spelling four seasons with determinations of lipid content of the aquatic macrophytes. No gross
differences in the lipid content, which in general ranged between 1 to 7.6% fresh weight, was observed
in the various macrophytic species, however, with a clear pattern between seasons. Results of the
investigation revealed that emergents and submergeds presented greater concentration of total lipids
when compared with free floating and rooted floating macrophytes. There was a tendency to higher
concentrations of total lipids in the tissues of submerged macrophytes (Ceratophyllum demersum and
Potamogeton crispus) in the early autumn season (peak growth period) suggesting that this period
presents better conditions to Ceratophyllum demersum and Potamogeton crispus development in the
Wular lake.
