Assessing the Diversity and Abundance of Plankton Communities in River-Fed Earthen Fish Ponds in Relation to Productivity in Niger Delta (Ekpan Community), Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70882/josrar.2025.v2i3.87Keywords:
Aquaculture, Ekpan Fishing Community, Niger Delta, Plankton diversity, Seasonal variationAbstract
Fish health and productivity in the Niger Delta’s tropical aquaculture rely on good water quality, with river-fed ponds playing a key role in local fish production due to their nutrient-rich waters. This study evaluated seasonal variations in plankton communities in six river-fed earthen fish ponds in Ekpan Fishing Community, Niger Delta, Nigeria, from June to November. Phytoplankton diversity indicated primary productivity and nutrient status, with Cyanophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chlorophyceae, and Zygnemataceae as dominant families. Anabaena (450) and Oscillatoria (419) were the most abundant in June. Diatom Craticula (409) and green alga Coelastrum (319) also showed notable densities. High Cyanophyceae abundance suggests possible eutrophication, while Bacillariophyceae and Chlorophyceae levels reflect relatively balanced water conditions. Zooplankton also followed seasonal trends, with Rotifera and Copepoda dominating. Keratella spp. and Synchaeta spp. peaked at 244 and 214 individuals in October and November, respectively. Copepods such as Cyclops spp. (208 in September), Eucyclops spp. (230 in October), and Mesocyclops spp. (187 in November) were prominent, indicating stable conditions favourable for zooplankton and fish. Overall, the ponds exhibited nutrient-rich conditions that support plankton growth but pose a risk of eutrophication if not properly managed. The study recommends pond management strategies, including aeration, controlled feeding, and regular water exchange to maintain water quality and ecological balance. These findings offer valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of aquaculture ponds and inform sustainable fish farming practices in the Niger Delta.
References
Adagha, O. (2017). Comparative Study on the Ecology of Oreochromis Niloticus from River Niger at Cable Point and Onah Lake, Asaba, Nigeria. An M.Sc. Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Asaba Campus. https://fison.org.ng/Documents/32_ANNUAL_PROCEEDING.
Adeogun, A. O., Chukwuka, A. V., Arukwe, A., James, R. A. (2018). Assessment of water quality parameters in aquaculture ponds in Nigeria: Implications for fish health and growth. African Journal of Aquatic Science, 43(2), 145-157. https://doi.org/10.2989/16085914.2018.1472430
Adekanmi, A. A., Adekanmi, S. A., Adekanmi, O. S. (2020). Biological Treatment of Fish Pond Wastewater by Coelastrum morum, a Green Microalgae. International Journal of Engineering and Information Systems (IJEAIS), 4(4), 62–77. ISSN: 2643 640X. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347646685.
APHA (2017). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (23rd ed., edited by Baird, R. B., Eaton, A. D., & Rice, E. W., pp. 102–209). Washington, D.C.: American Public Health Association. ISBN: 978 - 0875532875. https://www.standardmethods.org
APHA (American Public Health Association), AWWA (American Water Works Association), & WEF (Water Environment Federation). (2023). Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (24th ed., edited by Lipps, W. C., Baxter, T. E., & Braun-Howland, E. B.). Washington, D.C.: American Public Health Association. ISBN: 978-0-87553-313-1 https://www.standardmethods.org
Akagha, S. C., Johansen, J. R., Nwankwo, D. I., Yin, K. (2020). Dynamics of nutrient and phytoplankton in Epe Lagoon, Nigeria: possible causes and consequences of reoccurring cyanobacterial blooms. Applied Water Science, 10(12), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-020-01190-7
Awhefeada O. K., O.F Nwachi, O. Eriegha and Akpobasah O. L (2024): Phytoplankton and Zooplankton Abundance and Distribution in River Ethiope, Delta State, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Food Environment (JAFE). Volume 10 (1), Faculty of Agriculture, Delta State University, Abraka. ISSN: 2449 1187 (online).
Begum, R., Ahmed, S., Choudhury, M. I., Khan, T. (2022). Ecosystem stability and species evenness in tropical habitats. Journal of Biodiversity Research, 14(2), 223–232
Davies, O. A. and Otene, B. B. (2009). Zooplankton Community of Minchinda Stream, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. European Journal of Scientific Research 26(4): 490- 498. Retrieved from http://www.eurojournals.com/ejsr.htm
Ebesi, E. J., Mohammed, Y. M., Iloba, K. I., Adamu, K. M., Adama, S. B. (2022). Zooplankton community structure of a tropical lake in a Northcentral State, Nigeria. Ruhuna Journal of Science, 13(2), 217–230. https://doi.org/10.4038/rjs.v13i2.127.
Edward, D. (1990). Microscopic Examination of Plankton Samples. Journal of Marine Biology, 27(2), 115-124.
Edward, D. (2010). Identification of Plankton Using Standard Keys. Aquatic Research and Development, 5(3), 210-22.
García-Palacios, P. (2023). Temporal biodiversity patterns are shaped by seasonal environmental filters. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 32(2), 221–234. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13633.
H. Rajkumar, P.K. Naik, M.S. Rishi. (2022). “A comprehensive water quality index based on analytical hierarchy process.” Ecological Indicators, 145, 109582. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind 2022.
Kadiri, M.O. (2006) Phytoplankton Flora and Physico-Chemical Attributes of Some Waters in the Eastern Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Botany, 19, 188-200. https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2668612#
Lazarus, O., Akani, G. C., Luiselli, L., Amadi, N., Ugbomeh, A. P., Osuamkpe, A., Dendi, D., Ebere, N., Pacini, N., Wala, C., Ajong, S. N., Uyi, H. S. (2018). Structure and diversity of fish communities in man-made ponds of the Niger Delta (southern Nigeria). European Journal of Ecology, 4(2), 84–91. https://doi.org/10.2478/eje-2018-0015
Morris, E. K., Caruso, T., Buscot, F., Fischer, M., Hancock, C., Maier, T. S., … & Rillig, M. C. (2014). Choosing and using diversity indices: insights for ecological applications from the German biodiversity exploratories. Oikos, 123(2), 21 38. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600 0706.2013.00694.x
Magurran, A. E. (2021). Measuring biological diversity. Current Biology, 31(19), article commentary. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2021.07.049
Nkwoji, J. A., Yakub, A. G., Ajani, G. E., Balogun, K. J., Renner, K. O., and Nwankwo, D. I (2010). Bioindicators as veritable tools in aquatic pollution management: A study on the Lagos Lagoon, Nigeria. Continental Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Science, 4, 36–43
Nwabueze A.A (2015): Plankton abundance and diversity in relation to seasonal variations of physicochemical parameters, River Ethiope, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture, Food, and Environment JAFE 2(3):89-101. https://www.jafedelsu.org/archive/2015no3/Plankton
Ogamba, E. (2017). Phytoplankton Composition and Abundance in Sombreiro River, Niger Delta, Nigeria. Academia.edu. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/103236837/Phytoplankton_Composition_and_Abundance_inia
Ogbuagu, D. H., Ayoade, A. A. (2011). Seasonal dynamics in plankton abundance and diversity of a freshwater body in Etche, Nigeria. Environment and Natural Resources Research, 2(2), 48–55. https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v2n2p48
Olaifa, E., Osabuohien, E., Haruna, I. (2022). Enhancing fish production for food security in Nigeria. Materials Today: Proceedings, 65(1), 22208-2214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.06.243
Sultana, S., Khan, S., Rahman, Z., Mahmud, Y. (2021). Influence of environmental factors on the dynamics and toxicology of Microcystis and Anabaena in eutrophic ponds. Aquaculture Research, 55(7), 2024–2035. Article ID 8826738. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8826738
Weizhen Zhang, Jing Liu, Yunxing Xiao, Yumiao Zhang, Yangjinzhi Yu, Zheng Zheng, Yafeng Liu and Qi Li (2022). The Impact of Cyanobacteria Blooms on the Aquatic Environment and Human Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(658). https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14100658
Zhao, H., Jiang, H., Pan, F., Zhang, C. (2020). Evaluating ecological stability using Simpson's Diversity index in forest succession studies. Ecological Indicators, 115, 106377. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106377.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Science Research and Reviews
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
