WATER PROPERTIES AND ZOOPLANKTON DIVERSITY OF AGHALOKPE WETLAND IN DELTA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Characterizing the basic components of our wetlands is the first step to successfully utilizing these important resources and no such data on this wetland are available. On this background, weekly examination of water properties and zooplankton diversity of Adagbarasa wetland from April to May 2015 was carried out. Water quality results, in the present study indicate that Aghalopke wetland showed favourable conditions for aquatic lives but for low oxygen levels (0.05- 3.5 mg/L). Linear correlation and cluster analyses results revealed catenation of most of the water properties which demonstrated the connectivity of the wetland. Air and water temperature, dissolved oxygen, acidity, alkalinity, carbon dioxide, conductivity were identified as chief drivers of the study area’s water properties.  Upon careful observation (zooplankton assemblage), four (4) taxonomic groups were found; Copepoda, Rotifera, Cladocera and Protozoa. The numerical stock taking found copepods more in biomass (120/ml) than species (only 2 records) while rotifers had 16 species being   dominant, sub dominant in biomass (103/ml). Rotifers, copepods and protozoa had positive negative associations with some water variables. The zooplankton diversity indices (0.44 to 1.76) revealed a deteriorated environment.