<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>South-eastern Nigeria’s tropical water ecosystems typically consist of mangrove swamps and riparian forests, both of which have become endangered in the last six decades. The purpose of this research was to determine the extent of human-induced impact and activities on the effect of water quality on the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish fauna in the Tropical River (Ikang). The river’s surface water, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish fauna were sampled and identified to create a database of reference information. Twelve (12) species of benthic macroinvertebrates from two (2) phyla were identified. Station 1 had the highest benthic macroinvertebrate abundance of 58 (35.65%), while Station 3 had the lowest abundance of 52 (31.70%). <italic>Uca tangeri</italic> was the most abundant benthic macroinvertebrate with a percentage abundance of 28 (17.07%), while <italic>Dinocras</italic> sp., <italic>Macromia</italic> sp., and <italic>Gomphus</italic> sp. were the least abundant benthic macroinvertebrates with a percentage abundance of 3.66%. In addition, seven (7) fish species from six (6) families were identified. During the study, the family <italic>Claroteidae</italic> was the most abundant, while the family <italic>Carangidae</italic> was the least abundant. The temperature of the river had a positive correlation with the families <italic>Carangidae</italic> and <italic>Mugilidae</italic>, a negative correlation with the family <italic>Clupeidae</italic>, and no correlation with the family <italic>Claroteidae</italic>. Total dissolved solids (TDS) correlated positively with the families <italic>Carangidae</italic>, <italic>Mugilidae</italic>, and <italic>Clariidae</italic>, while conductivity correlated positively only with the family <italic>Sciaenidae</italic> and negatively with the families <italic>Carangidae</italic>, <italic>Mugilidae</italic> and <italic>Clariidae</italic>. The abundance and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish fauna were generally influenced by the physical and chemical characteristics of the water, the availability of food, and the extent of human impacts and activities. In order to ensure sustainable water quality and biodiversity conservation in our environment, it is necessary to manage the river and the surrounding ecosystem appropriately.</p>
</abstract>

South-eastern Nigeria’s tropical water ecosystems typically consist of mangrove swamps and riparian forests, both of which have become endangered in the last six decades. The purpose of this research was to determine the extent of human-induced impact and activities on the effect of water quality on the distribution and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish fauna in the Tropical River (Ikang). The river’s surface water, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish fauna were sampled and identified to create a database of reference information. Twelve (12) species of benthic macroinvertebrates from two (2) phyla were identified. Station 1 had the highest benthic macroinvertebrate abundance of 58 (35.65%), while Station 3 had the lowest abundance of 52 (31.70%). Uca tangeri was the most abundant benthic macroinvertebrate with a percentage abundance of 28 (17.07%), while Dinocras sp., Macromia sp., and Gomphus sp. were the least abundant benthic macroinvertebrates with a percentage abundance of 3.66%. In addition, seven (7) fish species from six (6) families were identified. During the study, the family Claroteidae was the most abundant, while the family Carangidae was the least abundant. The temperature of the river had a positive correlation with the families Carangidae and Mugilidae, a negative correlation with the family Clupeidae, and no correlation with the family Claroteidae. Total dissolved solids (TDS) correlated positively with the families Carangidae, Mugilidae, and Clariidae, while conductivity correlated positively only with the family Sciaenidae and negatively with the families Carangidae, Mugilidae and Clariidae. The abundance and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and fish fauna were generally influenced by the physical and chemical characteristics of the water, the availability of food, and the extent of human impacts and activities. In order to ensure sustainable water quality and biodiversity conservation in our environment, it is necessary to manage the river and the surrounding ecosystem appropriately.

Human-Induced Impact on the Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish Fauna in the Tropical Ikang River, Nigeria

Department of Zoology and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences

Department of Veterinary Medicine, Wildlife Management, Conservation and Control

Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Water Energy and the Environment

Croatian Journal of Fisheries

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

South-eastern Nigeria’s tropical water ecosystems typically consist of mangrove swamps and riparian forests, both of which have become endangered in the last...

Human-Induced Impact on the Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish Fauna in the Tropical Ikang River, Nigeria

Publicado en línea: 08 mar 2023

Páginas: 1 - 12

Recibido: 08 dic 2022

Aceptado: 11 ene 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2023-0001

Palabras clave
Fish fauna, Abundance, Biodiversity, Physicochemical parameters, Sustainable management

© 2023 Andem Bassey Andem et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Human-Induced Impact on the Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macroinvertebrates and Fish Fauna in the Tropical Ikang River, Nigeria

Publicado en línea: 08 mar 2023

Páginas: 1 - 12

Recibido: 08 dic 2022

Aceptado: 11 ene 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/cjf-2023-0001

Palabras claveFish fauna, Abundance, Biodiversity, Physicochemical parameters, Sustainable management

© 2023 Andem Bassey Andem et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Palabras clave
Fish fauna, Abundance, Biodiversity, Physicochemical parameters, Sustainable management