author(s)
Shibam Saha, S Behera, TS Nagesh, SK Das, SK Rout, Lianthuamluaia and Abhrajyoti Mandal

abstract
Aquatic macrophytes diversity and its role in understanding the oxbow lake ecosystem dynamics have tremendous significance. Thus a study was conducted in Purbasthali Oxbow Lake which is locally known as Chupi Char in Purba Bardhaman district of West Bengal to assess the status and distribution of macrophytes during April, 2019 to March, 2020. During the study period, a total of 14 species of macrophytes were recorded. Submerged species contributed (43%) to the total macrophytes followed by floating (29%), emergent (21%) and marginal type (7%). In this Lake, water hyacinth (89.39%) was maximum followed by floating macrophytes Ipomoea sp (1.26%), then submerged aquatic weed Ceratophyllum sp (1.25%) in respect to their biomass contribution in dry weight basis. The average standing crop of macrophytes weight was 479.72 g dry wt/m² in Purbasthali oxbow Lake. Eichhornia sp was highly dominant throughout the year which could be the main reason for gradually decreasing the productivity status of the ecosystem. Therefore, it is suggested that excess amount of Eichhornia sp should be removed immediately from this wetland by the help of local fishermen for long run sustainability of these Lake.