Hydrobiological Research

Ecological health status of some watercourses in the Mfoundi Watershed, Yaoundé (Central Cameroon): Structure of the benthic macroinvertebrate community and water quality

2025-10-31T23:08:59+03:00

In Cameroon, as in many developing countries, urban aquatic environments are subject to increasing degradation of their quality. This phenomenon results from a multitude of extrinsic factors, stemming from rapid population growth coupled with anarchic urban sprawl. In this context, watercourses serve as final receptacles for domestic and industrial waste, as well as latrine drainage channels, significantly contributing to water pollution. The Mfoundi basin and its tributaries perfectly illustrate this situation, currently acting as dumping grounds and ultimate receptacles for various wastes. These discharges directly affect water quality and the biodiversity of these ecosystems. The present study aims to assess the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in three rivers of the Mfoundi basin (Odza, Akeu, and Olézoa), as well as in the upstream part of the Mfoundi River, in order to determine their current ecological status. To achieve this, hydro-morphometric parameters were measured using standardized methods, and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected following a multi-habitat approach. Hydro-morphometric analyses revealed that the structure of the banks of the different watercourses is, in places, marked by a loss of natural sinuosity in favour of channel reconfiguration. This phenomenon affects the natural transport of solid and liquid flows, as well as riparian vegetation, which has been replaced by crops and constructions, thereby increasing the vulnerability of the watercourses. On the biological level, a total of 3,467 benthic macroinvertebrate specimens were recorded, distributed across three phyla, twelve orders, and more than thirty families. The community is dominated by insects and characterised by low diversity, with a predominance of pollution-tolerant organisms such as Chironomidae, Belostomatidae, and Anthomyiidae, which are saprobionts and saprophiles. A canonical correspondence analysis indicated that the main groups of benthic macroinvertebrates identified were associated with the poor hydro-morphometric conditions observed. The Shannon-Weaver diversity and Piélou’s evenness indices confirmed the low diversity of organisms within the studied aquatic ecosystems, as well as their poor evenness. This situation is primarily explained by the dominance of saprobiont and saprophile groups. Finally, the weakening, and in some cases complete destruction, of natural riparian vegetation observed along the watercourses of Yaoundé, combined with their role as dumping grounds, constitutes a key factor in the degradation of water quality and the loss of ecological stability. Benthic macroinvertebrates, an essential link in water quality monitoring due to their diversity and variable sensitivity to pollution, thus reflect the extent of disturbances experienced by these ecosystems.

Abiotic factors modulate algal diversity in contaminated water of Cuttack, Odisha, India

2025-11-14T14:28:31+03:00

Cuttack district, one of Odisha's oldest, is known as the Millennium City and located at 20.4625° N latitude and 85.8830° E longitude. It was selected for our research due to its high pollution levels and the prevalence of algae in contaminated water. In this regards, four collection sites were chosen: S1 (Badambadi), S2 (Jagatpur), S3 (Nischintakoili), and S4 (Salipur). Samples were collected in sterilized falcon tubes and analysed for physicochemical parameters viz. DO, pH, temperature in the laboratory. Using a Leica dm 750 microscope and Leica ICC50 HD camera, we identified algal species based on their morphological characteristics with the help of monographs and algal databases. The study revealed significant algal diversity of 30 species under 5 divisions (Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyta, Charophyta, Chlorophyta, Euglenozoa), 15 orders including 19 families, and 22 genera. Moreover, the present study revealed that Bacillariophyta showed the highest diversity among others. Specifically, we found 6 species of Cyanobacteria, 16 of Bacillariophyta, 2 of Charophyta, 5 of Chlorophyta, and 1 of Euglenozoa. Notably, three species were recorded for the first time in India namely Kamptonema cortianum, Halamphora veneta, Tabularia fasciculata and three in Odisha such as Micractinium pusillum, Navicula sacrophagus, Synedra ulna. Furthermore, our study suggested that these algal species may be exploited as a promising feedstock for future biofuels and biodiesel production as well as phycoremediation and therapeutic intervention in the future.

Algal diversity in coalfield areas of Talcher with response to physico-chemical parameters

2025-12-18T13:18:41+03:00

The Talcher coalfield region in Angul district, Odisha, India, offers a unique ecological setting shaped by intensive coal mining activities, making it an important site for studying algal diversity. Spanning approximately 1,800 square kilometers, the area exhibits a range of physico-chemical parameters that significantly influence its aquatic ecosystems. This study investigates the algal diversity in the coalfield and examines its relationship with key physico-chemical factors. A total of 35 algal species were recorded, encompassing 21 genera, 18 families, and 15 orders across five major algal divisions. The division Bacillariophyta (diatoms) was the most dominant, with 19 species, followed by Charophyta (6 species), Cyanophyta (4 species), Chlorophyta (3 species), and Euglenophyta (3 species). The results revealed that temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) are the primary environmental factors influencing algal diversity in the Talcher coalfield. Moreover, Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen are key environmental drivers influencing algal diversity in the Talcher coalfield area. The study concludes that coal mining environments, provide favourable microhabitats for diverse algal communities despite of anthropogenic activity. The observed algal diversity reflects a complex interaction between natural conditions and mining-induced changes. These findings emphasize the need for sustained ecological monitoring and mitigation strategies to manage the environmental impacts of coal mining. The dataset of our study provides a valuable baseline snapshot of algal diversity in mining-impacted habitats of coalfield areas of Talcher.

Aesthetic and functional use of water in landscape architecture

2025-12-01T13:04:06+03:00

When the history of landscape art is examined, water initially used primarily for agricultural and hygienic purposes has evolved over time into diverse forms that support both passive and active recreation, exert physical and psychological restorative effects, provide thermal and visual comfort, and in some contexts serve as an indicator of social status. Today, in addition to these traditional functions, water also plays a crucial role in supporting ecological processes and sustaining natural cycles. For landscape architects who seek to integrate natural and built environments, water represents one of the most powerful and versatile elements facilitating this integration. As a fundamental human need, water is an indispensable component of landscape architectural design due to its functional, aesthetic, and ecological properties. This study first examines the use of water across different periods, cultures, and civilizations within the context of landscape art history. Subsequently, it discusses the contemporary aesthetic and functional uses of water in landscape design.