Effect of water quality on the spatial distribution of charophytes in the Peshawar Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract The presented research was conducted in 2018–2019 the Peshawar Valley, Pakistan, to study for first time effect of water quality on spatial distribution charophytes. A total six taxa charophytes were found at 41 sites Valley along banks seven rivers, 16 streams and two wetlands: Chara braunii C.C.Gmelin, C. connivens Salzmann ex A. Braun, contraria Braun Kützing, globularis Thuiller, vulgaris Linnaeus, Nitellopsis obtusa (Desvaux) J. Groves. most abundant species, followed by , . Water pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved solids (TDS), salinity oxygen (DO) within permissible limits while temperature, oxidation reduction potential (ORP) resistivity showed deviations. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that DO affected vulgaris, pH braunii, temperature ORP obtusa. Furthermore, CCA TDS, EC, had no should be protected under VU (Vulnerable) status (IUCN) with their habitats.