Algal diversity and their ecology in Pariyapurath Chali, a wetland in Ramanattukara Municipality, Kozhikode, Kerala, India

ABSTRACT Wetlands are one of the important ecosystems which contribute much to primary productivity and atmospheric oxygen. Algal diversity and their ecological role in Pariyapurath Chali were studied. Standard methods for collection, identification and preservation were followed, and their importance in the ecosystem were noted. A total of 52 samples were collected, of which 65 taxa were identified. These taxa belonged to 4 classes; Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Euglenophyceae and Cy- anophyceae. The occurrence of cyanobacteria was high in the study site, the non-het- rocystous cyanobacteria were more frequent in all the sampling sites especially in the soil with high nitrogen and organic content. This contribution increases the taxonomic knowledge of Indian wetland algae.