Abstract

A limnological survey was conducted in six Lakes: Mulehe, Mutanda, Kayumbu, Chahafi, Bunyonyi and Nakasanda, of South-Western Uganda (SWU) in September 2014. The baseline survey aimed at characterizing the high altitude water bodies for enhanced future fisheries productivity. The results indicated that Lake Nakasanda had the highest temperature (24°C). Although other physic-chemical conditions of the water bodies varied, they were within acceptable ranges for fish productivity with no extreme cases reported. Chlorophyll-a was recorded highest in Lakes Nakasanda (16.8±3.4 µgL^-1) and Bunyonyi (14.2±9.5 µgL^-1). Rotifers were the most dominant zooplankton taxa with a total of 16 species and Lake Mulehe had the highest abundance (2,089,423±4,511 individuals m^-2) while the least abundance were recorded in Lakes Nakasanda (471,608±35,505 individuals m^-2) and Chahafi (473,354±15,279 individuals m^-2). Among the macro-invertebrates, Diptera was the most abundant with Lake Mutanda recording the highest species richness of 8. The recorded absence or fewer individuals of some zooplankton and macro-invertebrate species/groups in certain aquatic ecosystems were attributed to the water quality. The variation in water quality, results from human activities and this may impart negative implications on fish productivity if not remedied.

Key words: Minor Lakes, physic-chemical parameters, Chlorophyll-a, zooplankton, macro-invertebrates.