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Article
Author(s)
Yan Ren1,2 ,Tao Lin1,2 and Lan Zhang1,2
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DOI:10.17265/2162-5263/2026.01.001
Affiliation(s)
1. Key Laboratory for Information System of Mountainous Areas and Protection of Ecological Environment, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550025, China 2. China Guizhou Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation and Restoration, Guiyang 550025, China
ABSTRACT
Caohai Lake, a typical freshwater lake on the southwestern plateau of China, is threatened by drainage projects, domestic sewage, and agricultural pollution, which jeopardize its ecological functions. This study aimed to assess the ecological health of Caohai Lake and to develop a phytoplankton-based Index of Biotic Integrity (P-IBI) adapted to its ecological characteristics. From July to November 2024, fourteen sampling sites were established across the lake, and samples were collected monthly to analyze physicochemical water parameters and phytoplankton community structure, followed by the construction of the P-IBI. A total of 88 phytoplankton species belonging to six phyla were identified, with Chlorophyta being the most species-rich group (46 species, 52.27%) and Cyanophyta as the dominant group. Nutrient concentrations, including total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP), were higher in July-August and gradually decreased from September to November. The mean P-IBI of Caohai Lake was 3.851, corresponding to a “sub-healthy” ecological status. Key metrics, including the percentage of Bacillariophyta cell density (M16), percentage of cell density contributed by the three dominant species (M18), Shannon-Wiener diversity index (M19), and the overall P-IBI, were significantly correlated with water temperature (WT), chlorophyll-a (Chl.a), and nutrient concentrations. These results provide a scientific basis for the environmental management and ecological protection of Caohai Lake.
KEYWORDS
Caohai Lake, phytoplankton, Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI), ecosystem health, water quality assessment.
Cite this paper
Yan Ren,Tao Lin and Lan Zhang.Ecosystem Health Assessment of Caohai Lake (Guizhou, China) Based on a Phytoplankton-based Index of Biotic Integrity.Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering B 15 (2026) 1-15
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