Submit Manuscript

Research Journal of Soil Biology

Year: 2012 | Volume: 4 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 42-68
Research Article

Ecology and Diversity of Green-algae of Tropical Oxic Dystrustepts Soils in Relation to Different Soil Parameters and Vegetation

J.G. Ray
Research Laboratory of Ecology and Ecotechnology, School of Biosciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, 686560, India
T. Binoy Thomas
Environment Science Research Lab, Postgraduate Department of Botany, St Berchmans College, Changanacherry, Kerala, 686 103 India
This is the outcome of a pioneer comprehensive investigation of green-algae of Oxic Dystrustepts soils in the Western Ghats of South India, one of the biodiversity hot-spots of the world exposing very many new species. Seventeen percent of the total species observed are quite new to science. Taxonomical characterization of algae in relation to soil and vegetation is carried out systematically from field soils, 'growth slides' and artificial culture of soil samples in specific media. Physico-chemical soil parameters examined were soil-moisture, pH, total carbon, conductivity, total/Kjeldahl nitrogen, plant available potassium and phosphorus. These are correlated to species richness, species diversity index and relative abundance of all green-algae observed. Desmids are found to be the most dominant group of green-algae in these soils. Since green-algae in general are significant biotic component of all ecosystems search of them in these soils is also worthy. Identification and understanding the ecology of them becomes highly relevant from an economic and conservation point of view of algae as well as sustainable management of the fertility of natural soils. Major goal of this investigation was to assess the biodiversity of green-algae in relation to certain physico-chemical characteristics of soils and three different kinds of vegetation such as natural forests, teak and rubber plantations. Results emphasize the worth of immediate exploratory studies throughout the wet tropical soils especially that in the Western Ghats to account the precious biodiversity of green-algae before they get further affected by soil degradations from diverse factors including global climate change.
PDF Fulltext XML References Citation

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Article Trend

Total views 5181

References

  1. Bohlen, P.J., P.M. Groffman, C.T. Driscoll, T.J. Fahey and T.G. Siccama, 2001. Plant-soil-microbial interactions in a northern hardwood forest. Ecology, 82: 965-978.
    Direct Link
  2. Bongale, U.D., 1981. Abundance of algal species in relation to soil types and major crops in cultivated soils of Karnataka state (India). Plant Soil, 60: 289-293.
    CrossRef
  3. Chandran, P., S.K. Ray, T. Bhattacharyya, P. Srivastava, P. Krishnan and D.K. Pal, 2005. Lateritic soils of Kerala, India: Their mineralogy, genesis and taxonomy. Aust. J. Soil Res., 43: 839-852.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  4. Chun-Xiang, H.U. and L. Yong-Ding, 2003. Primary succession of algal community structure in Desert soil. Acta Bot. Sin., 45: 917-924.
    Direct Link
  5. Coesel, P.F.M. and L. Krienitz, 2007. Diversity and geographic distribution of desmids and other coccoid green algae. Biodivers. Conserv., 17: 381-392.
    CrossRef
  6. Demirbas, A. and M.F. Demirbas, 2011. Importance of algae oil as a source of biodiesel. Energy Convers. Manage., 52: 163-170.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  7. Dey, H.S., K. Tayung and A.K. Bastia, 2010. Occurrence of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria in local rice fields of Orissa, India. Ecoprint Int. J. Ecol., 17: 77-85.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  8. Diale, P.P., E. Muzenda, T.S. Matambo, D. Glasser, D. Hildebrandt and J. Zimba, 2011. Biosorption of heavy metals contaminating the wonderfonteinspruit catchment area using Desmodesmus sp. Eng. Technol., 76: 821-830.
  9. El-Gamal, A.D., N.A.E. Ghanem, E.Y. El-Ayouty and E.F. Shehata, 2008. Studies on soil algal flora in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt. Egypt. J. Phycol., 9: 1-23.
    Direct Link
  10. El-Sheekh, M.M., M.M. Gharieb and G.W. Abou-El-Souod, 2009. Biodegradation of dyes by some green algae and cyanobacteria. Int. Biodeterior. Biodegrad., 63: 609-704.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  11. Flint, E.A. and D.B. Williamson, 2010. Desmids (Chlorophyta), including two new species and three new varieties in two swamps, a lake and a tarn in the south Island of New Zealand. N. Z. J. Bot., 43: 285-300.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  12. Freystein, K., M. Salisch and W. Reisser, 2008. Algal biofilms on tree bark to monitor airborne pollutants. Biologia, 63: 866-872.
    CrossRef
  13. Fujita, Y. and H. Nakahara, 2006. Variations in micro algal structure in paddy soil in Osaka, Japan: Comparison between surface and subsurface soils. Limnology, 7: 83-91.
    CrossRef
  14. Guiry, M.D. and G.M. Guiry, 2011. AlgaeBase. World-Wide Electronic Publication, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
  15. Hoffman, L., L. Ector and I. Kostikov, 2007. Algal flora from limed and unlimed forest soils in the Ardenne (Belgium). Syst. Geogr. Plant, 77: 15-90.
  16. Hunt, M.E., G.L. Floyd and B.B. Stout, 1979. Soil algae in field and forest environments. Ecology, 60: 362-375.
    Direct Link
  17. Issa, O.M., C. Defarge, Y. Le Bissonnais, B. Marin and O. Duval et al., 2007. Effects of the inoculation of cyanobacteria on the microstructure and the structural stability of a tropical soil. Plant Soil, 290: 209-219.
    CrossRef
  18. Jackson, M.L., 1973. Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice-Hall of India Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India, Pages: 498.
  19. Khaybullina, L.S., L.A. Gaysina, J.R. Johansen and M. Krautova, 2010. Examination of the terrestrial algae of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA. Fottea, 10: 201-215.
    Direct Link
  20. Khondker, M., A. Alfasane and R.F. Bhuiyan, 2008. (Chlorophyta): A new record for Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Bot., 37: 189-191.
    Direct Link
  21. Lemes-Da-Silva, N.M., L.H.Z. Branco and O. Nechi-Junior, 2010. Corticolous green algae from tropical forest remnants in the northwest region of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Rev. Brasil Bot., 33: 215-226.
    Direct Link
  22. Lewis, L.A. and R.M. McCourt, 2004. Green algae and the origin of land plants. Am. J. Bot., 91: 1535-1556.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  23. Lukesova, A., 2001. Soil algae in brown Coal and Lignite Post-Mining Areas in Central Europe (Czech Republic and Germany). Rest. Ecol., 9: 341-350.
    Direct Link
  24. Lukesova, A. and J. Frouz, 2007. Soil and Fresh Water Micro-Algae as a Food Source for Invertebrates in Extreme Environments. In: Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments, Seckbach, J. (Ed.). Springer, Netherlands, pp: 387-397.
  25. Mansour, H.A., 2008. Natural and propagated algal flora isolated from El-Fayum Governorate. Egypt. J. Bio., 10: 54-61.
    Direct Link
  26. Mansour, H.A. and A.S. Shaaban, 2010. Algae of soil surface layer of wadi Al-Hitan protective area (World Heritage Site), El-Fayum depression, Egypt. J. Am. Sci., 6: 243-255.
  27. Megharaj, M., D. Kantachote, I. Singleton and R. Naidu, 2000. Effects of long term contamination of DDT on soil microflora with special reference to soil algae and algal transformation of DDT. Environ. Pollut., 109: 35-42.
    CrossRef
  28. Messyasz, B., 2006. Chlorophyta-plants connected with diverse water reservoirs in the wielkopolska region (Western Poland). Biodiv. Res. Conserv., 3: 352-356.
  29. Metting, B., 1981. The systematics and ecology of soil algae. Bot. Rev., 47: 195-312.
    Direct Link
  30. Nayak, S. and R. Prasanna, 2007. Soil pH and its role in cyanobacterial abundance and diversity in rice field soils. J. Applied Ecol. Environ. Res., 5: 103-113.
    Direct Link
  31. Neustupa, J., 2001. Soil algae from marlstone-substratum based biotopes in the nature park Dzban (Central Bohemia, Czech Republic) with special attention to the natural treeless localities. Algol. Stud., 101: 109-120.
    Direct Link
  32. Neustupa, J. and P. Skaloud, 2008. Diversity of subaerial algae and cyanobacteria on tree bark in tropical mountain habitats. Biologia, 63: 806-812.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  33. Neustupa, J. and P. Skaloud, 2010. Diversity of subaerial algae and cyanobacteria growing on bark and wood in the lowland tropical forests of Singapore. Plant Ecol. Evol., 143: 51-62.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  34. Ngearnpat, N., P.F.M. Coesel and Y. Peerapornpisal, 2008. Diversity of desmids in three Thai peat swamps. Biologia, 63: 901-906.
    CrossRef
  35. Novakovskaya, I.V. and E.N. Patova, 2008. Green algae in spruce forests in the north-east of European Russia. Biologia, 63: 836-842.
    CrossRef
  36. Novis, P.M., 2004. A taxonomic survey of Microspora (Chlorophyceae, Chlorophyta) in New Zealand. N. Z. J. Bot., 42: 153-165.
    Direct Link
  37. Ohtani, S., K. Suyama, H. Yamamoto, Y. Aridomi, R. Itoh and Y. Fukuoka, 2000. Distribution of soil algae at the monitoring sites in the vicinity of Syowa station between austral summers of 1992/1993 and 1997/1998. Polar Biosci., 13: 113-132.
    Direct Link
  38. Olivieri, G., A. Marzocchella, R. Andreozzi, G. Pinto and A. Pollio, 2011. Biodiesel production from Stichococcus strains at laboratory scale. J. Chem. Tech. Biotech., 86: 776-783.
    CrossRef
  39. Opute, F.I., 2000. Contribution to the knowledge of algae of Nigeria. I. Desmids from the Warri/Forcados estuaries. Part II. The elongate baculiform desmids. J. Limnol., 59: 131-155.
  40. Parker, B.C., 1961. Facultative heterotrophy in certain soil algae from the ecological viewpoint. Ecology, 42: 381-386.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  41. Patova, E.N. and M.F. Dorokhova, 2008. Green algae in tundra soils affected by coal mine pollutions. Biologia, 63: 831-835.
    CrossRef
  42. Pena-Castro, J.M., F. Martinez-Jeronimo, F. Esparza-Garcia and R.O. Canizares-Villanueva, 2004. Heavy metals removal by the microalga Scenedesmus incrassatulus in continuous cultures. Bioresour. Technol., 94: 219-222.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  43. Pham, M.N., H.T.W. Tan, S. Mitrovic and H.H.T. Yeo, 2011. A Checklist of the Algae of Singapore. 2nd Edn., Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Pages: 99.
  44. Philipose, M.T., 1967. Chlorococcales. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India, Pages: 365.
    Direct Link
  45. Prasanna, R. and S. Nayak, 2007. Influence of diverse rice soil ecologies on cyanobacterial diversity and abundance. Wetlands Ecol. Manage., 15: 127-134.
    CrossRef
  46. Prescott, G.W., 1951. Algae of the Western Great Lakes Area. 1st Edn. WMC Brown Publishers, Dubuque Lowa, USA., pp: 977.
  47. Ralfs, J., 1848. The British Desmidieae. Reeve, Benham and Reeve, London, Pages: 204.
  48. Ramanathan, K.R., 1964. Ulotrichales. ICAR., New Delhi, Pages: 188.
  49. Randhawa, M.S., 1959. Zygnemataceae. Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India, Pages: 478.
  50. Ray, J.G. and T.T. Binoy, 2012. Fertility characteristics of oxic dystrustepts under natural forest, rubber and teak plantations in different seasons, Kerala, South India. Commun. Soil Sci. Plan. Anal., 43: 2247-2261.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  51. Rindi, F., 2007. Diversity, Distribution and Ecology of Green Algae and Cyanobacteria in Urban Habitats. In: Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments, Seckbach, J. (Eds.). Springer, New York, pp: 619-638.
  52. Rindi, F., H.A. Allali, D.W. Lam and J.M. Lopez-Bautista, 2009. An Overview of the Biodiversity and Biogeography of Terrestrial Green Algae. In: Biodiversity Hotspots, Rescigno, V. and S. Maletta (Eds.). Chapter 3, Nova Science Publishers Inc., Hauppauge, NY., USA., ISBN: 9781608764587, pp: 105-122.
  53. Schlichting, H.E., 1973. Algae in tobacco beds. Trans. Amer. Micros. Soc., 92: 528-531.
    Direct Link
  54. Sharma, N.K., S. Singh and A.K. Rai, 2006. Diversity and seasonal variation of viable algal particles in the atmosphere of a subtropical city in India. Environ. Res., 102: 252-259.
    Direct Link
  55. Shimmel, S.M. and W.M. Darley, 1985. Productivity and density of soil algae in an agricultural system. Ecology, 66: 1439-1447.
    Direct Link
  56. Singh, A.P. and B.R. Chaudhary, 2011. Allelopathic potential of algal weed Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) ittrock on the germination and seedling growth of Oryza sativa L. Bot. Res. Int., 4: 36-40.
    Direct Link
  57. Singh, N.K. and D.W. Dhar, 2007. Nitrogen and phosphorous scavenging potential in microalgae. Indian J. Biotechnol., 6: 52-56.
    Direct Link
  58. Singh, P.K., S. Kishore, J. Prakash, S.K. Singh and M. Shukla, 2008. Cyanophycean algae inhabiting sodic soil exhibit diverse morphology: An adaptation to high exchangeable sodium. Ecoprint, 15: 15-21.
    Direct Link
  59. Singh, S., B.N. Kate and U.C. Banerjee, 2005. Bioactive compounds from cyanobacteria and micro algae: An overview. Crit. Rev. Biotechnol., 25: 73-95.
    PubMed
  60. Skaloud, P., 2006. Variation and taxonomic significance of some morphological features in European strains of Klebsormidium (Klebsormidiophyceae, Streptophyta). Nova Hedwigia, 83: 533-550.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  61. Skaloud, P., 2009. Species composition and diversity of aero-terrestrial algae and cyanobacteria of the Borec Hill ventaroles. Fottea, 9: 65-80.
    Direct Link
  62. Soare, L.C. and C.M. Dobrescu, 2010. Preliminary data on edaphic algae in the city of Pitesti (Romania). Fascicula Biol., 17: 186-189.
    Direct Link
  63. Soil Survey Organisation, 2007. Bench mark soils of Kerala. Agriculture Department, Govt. of Kerala, India.
  64. Starks, T.L. and L.E. Shubert, 1982. Colonization and succession of algae and soil-algal interactions associated with disturbed areas. J. Phycol., 18: 99-107.
    CrossRef
  65. Stastny, J., 2010. Desmids (Conjugatophyceae, Viridiplantae) from the Czech Republic: New and rare taxa, distribution, ecology. Fottea, 10: 1-74.
    Direct Link
  66. Stepankova, J., J. Vavruskova, P. Hasler, P. Mazalova and A. Poulickova, 2008. Diversity and ecology of desmids of peat bogs in the Jizerske hory Mts. Biologia, 63: 895-900.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  67. Temraleeva, A.D., D.L. Pinskii, E.N. Patova and E.V. Spirina, 2011. The use of algae-cyanobacterial communities for the assessment of lead pollution of gray forest soils. Eurasian Soil Sci., 44: 326-331.
    CrossRef
  68. Tirkey, J. and S.P. Adhikary, 2005. Cyanobacteria in biological soil crusts of India. Curr. Sci., 89: 515-521.
    Direct Link
  69. Tschaikner, A., E. Ingolic, M.P. Stoyneva and G. Gartner, 2007. Autosporulation in the soil alga Coelastrella terrestris (Chlorophyta, Scenedesmaceae, Scenedesmoideae). Phytol. Balcanica, 13: 29-34.
    Direct Link
  70. Wehr, J.D. and R.G. Sheath, 2003. Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification. 2nd Edn., Academic Press, USA., ISBN-13: 9780127415505, Pages: 918.
  71. Yoshida, N., R. Ikeda and T. Okuno, 2006. Identification and characterization of heavy metal-resistant unicellular algae isolated from soil and its potential for phytoremediation. Bioresour. Technol., 97: 1843-1849.
    CrossRef
  72. Zancan, S., R. Trevisan and M.G. Paoletti, 2006. Soil algae composition under different agro-ecosystem in North-Eastern Italy. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ., 112: 1-12.
    CrossRef
  73. Zarina, A., Masu-ul-Hasan and M. Shameel, 2006. Taxonomic study of the class Ulvophyceae (Chlorophyta) from certain areas of the Punjab, Pakistan. Proc. Pak. Acad. Sci., 43: 229-240.
    Direct Link
  74. Zidarova, R.P., 2008. Algae from Livingston Island (S Shetland Islands): A checklist. Phytol. Balcanica, 14: 19-35.
    Direct Link
  75. Broady, P.A., 1979. Qualitative and quantitative observations on green and yellow green algae in some English soils. Eur. J. Phycol., 14: 151-160.
    CrossRefDirect Link
  76. Shannon, C.E. and W. Weaver, 1949. The Mathematical Theory of Communication. University of Illinois Press, Urbana, USA.
  77. Whittaker, R.H., 1977. Evolution of Species Diversity in Land Community. In: Evolutionary Biology, Heeht, M.K., W.C. Steee and B. Wallace (Eds.). Plenum, New York, USA.
  78. Iyangar, M.O.P. and T.V. Desikachary, 1981. Volvocales. ICAR, New Delhi, India, Pages: 532.
  79. Silva, P.C., 2012. Index nominum algarum. University Herbarium, University of California, Berkeley. http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/INA.html.

Keywords