The geographical position of Kerala, nestled on the southwestern fringes of the Western Ghats, contributes to its remarkable wealth of algal populations. The state's diverse ecosystems, ranging from aerial to terrestrial and aquatic habitats, further enhance its biodiversity. Kerala's extensive aquatic systems, encompassing rivers, lakes, ponds, backwaters, estuaries, and the sea, provide ideal conditions for a wide range of algal species to thrive. The major algal groups found in Kerala include Chlorophyceae (green algae), Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae) and Bacillariophyceae (diatoms). Green algae, in particular, dominate the algal distribution, while members of Rhodophyceae (red algae) and Xanthophyceae (yellow-green algae), are relatively less abundant. The presence of these diverse species contributes to the proliferation of algal growth in freshwater sources. Altogether, Kerala's geographical location and rich aquatic ecosystems make it a captivating hub for studying and appreciating the abundance and variety of algae in the region.
Athira et al. (Thu,) studied this question.