ASSESSMENT OF EMERGENT AND FLOATING MACROPHYTES IN RELATION TO SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF WAYA POND, BAUCHI, NIGERIA

O D Akwuma,A J Nayaya,A G Ezra

doi:10.52417/ojbr.v2i2.287

Abstract

Emergent and floating macrophytes in relation to some physicochemical parameters were assessed in Waya pond, Bauchi. Water and macrophytes were sampled monthly between October 2019 to March 2020. Ten physicochemical parameters were measured and twelve macrophytes species recorded. The diversity index was 1.38, evenness (0.55) and abundance were 12 species. The site was polluted as all the values of dissolved oxygen (DO) were ˂ 5 mg/L, nitrogen ˃ 18 mg/L and pH ˂ 7 except for December. Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed that DO correlated with Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (r = 0.936, p˂0.01), Phosphate (r = 0.927, p˂0.01) and Nitrate (r = -0.953, p˂0.01). TDS correlated with Phosphate (r = 0.969, p˂0.01) and Nitrate (r = - 0.938, p˂0.01). The significant correlation between physicochemical parameters and macrophytes were: Nymphaea nouchali with DO (r = - 0.849, p˂0.05), TS (r = 0.88, p˂0.05). Panicum repens was negatively correlated with TDS, DO, TS, Phosphate but not Nitrates. Eichhornia crassipes, Nymphaea micrantha and Nymphaea lotus at p˂0.05 were negatively associated with TDS, DO, and Phosphate but positively with Nitrate. Nuphar lutea, Nelumbo nucifera and Echinochloa colona related positively with Turbidity. Nuphar lutea positively related with Nitrate but negative with DO, and TS. Typha latifolia with TS (r = - 0.871, p˂0.05). Potamogeton natans with phosphate (r = 0.927, p˂0.01). The state of water pollution in the study-area corresponded with low diversity, evenness and abundance of species. This puts biodiversity and sustainability at risk.

Highlights

All living things cannot survive without water, especially aquatic organisms
Water quality check is key to knowing the right management policy that is required for biodiversity conservation, ecological sustainability and restoration but not further degradation
To close the existing research gaps, the aim of this study is to assess the diversity of emergent and floating macrophytes in relation to physicochemical parameters in Waya pond, Bauchi, North-East Nigeria

Summary

INTRODUCTION

All living things cannot survive without water, especially aquatic organisms. It is essential that water of suitable quality be made available for aquatic flora and fauna in a bid to ensure sustainability of resources for human use. Macrophytes are parts of aquatic flora and are valuable for the maintenance of ecological balance. Water quality check is key to knowing the right management policy that is required for biodiversity conservation, ecological sustainability and restoration but not further degradation. Aquatic macrophytes are a group of large macroscopic photosynthetic organisms usually growing with their roots in soil or water (Jones et al, 2012). Macrophytes are an important component of the aquatic ecosystem because they enhance the physical structure of habitats and biological complexity with increased biodiversity within the littoral zones (Wetzel, 2001). To close the existing research gaps, the aim of this study is to assess the diversity of emergent and floating macrophytes in relation to physicochemical parameters in Waya pond, Bauchi, North-East Nigeria

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION