Interplay Of Aquatic Flora And Wetland Health: A Water Quality Study In Assam's Dhemaji And Jorhat Districts

Abstract

Wetlands serve as critical transitional ecosystems between terrestrial and aquatic environments, providing indispensable ecological services including water purification, biodiversity conservation, and carbon sequestration. This research investigates the intricate relationship between aquatic macrophytes and water quality parameters in selected wetlands of Dhemaji and Jorhat districts of Assam, India. The primary objectives encompass documenting macrophyte diversity, assessing physicochemical water quality parameters, examining correlations between aquatic vegetation and water quality indicators, and evaluating overall wetland health status. A mixed-method approach integrating field sampling, laboratory analysis, and statistical correlation was employed across six wetland sites during 2019-2021. The hypothesis posited that macrophyte abundance significantly influences water quality parameters, thereby determining wetland health. Results revealed significant variations in dissolved oxygen (4.5-9.4 mg/L), pH (6.8-7.6), and nutrient concentrations across sites, with macrophyte-dominated areas exhibiting distinct water quality profiles. Statistical analysis confirmed significant negative correlations between free-floating macrophyte density and dissolved oxygen levels (r=-0.72, p<0.05). The study concludes that aquatic flora composition serves as a reliable bioindicator of wetland health, necessitating integrated conservation strategies for sustainable wetland management in northeastern India.