Effects of Depth and Water Quality on Aquatic Plant Distribution in Nong Han Lake, Sakon Nakhon Province: The Largest Freshwater Lake in Northeastern Thailand

Sangmek, Pichasit; Chokthaweepanich, Hathairat; Doydee, Puvadol; Kamolrat, Narong

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.355846.5299

Effects of Depth and Water Quality on Aquatic Plant Distribution in Nong Han Lake, Sakon Nakhon Province: The Largest Freshwater Lake in Northeastern Thailand

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Agriculture and Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University, Chalermphrakiat Sakon Nakhon Province Campus, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand

² School of Integrated Science, Kasetsart University, Thailand

³ Department of Agriculture and Resources, Faculty of Natural Resources and Agro-Industry, Kasetsart University Chalermphrakiat Sakonnakhon Province Campus, Thailand

10.21608/ejabf.2025.355846.5299

Abstract

A study on the effects of depth and water quality on aquatic plant distribution in Nong Han Lake, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand, was conducted by surveying species diversity and biomass of aquatic plants along with physical and chemical parameters across 43 sampling stations. The survey was carried out during early dry season 2020, late dry season 2021, early rainy season 2021, and late rainy season 2021. The year-round survey revealed a total of 61 species from 30 families, with emergent plants being the dominant group. The most frequently encountered species across all seasons was the curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.). Cluster analysis categorized the sampling stations into three groups based on water depth. A highly significant negative correlation (P<0.01) was found between water depth and species richness, while no correlation was observed between depth and aquatic plant biomass. Water quality in Nong Han Lake was generally good, except for some areas during the rainy season where water quality deteriorated. The findings indicate that Nong Han Lake has potential as an appropriate primary production source in the aquatic ecosystem. However, problems arising from dense aquatic plant distribution can lead to water body deterioration, particularly in littoral zones where plant debris accumulation may result in shallow, stagnant, and deteriorated conditions. Therefore, measures should be implemented to reduce nutrient loading into the water body and to optimize the harvesting of aquatic plants for maximum utilization.

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