Impact of climate change on water quality and plankton biodiversity in the Hadejia Nguru wetlands

Water quality parameters were studied in relation to phytoplankton and zooplankton distribution and abundance in the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands. Water and plankton samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods. Each of the measured physico-chemical parameters showed statistically significant variation across the months (P < 0.05 or < 0.001). Suggesting high seasonal variation. Most water quality parameters showed significant variation across different sampling sites, except for pH. Eighteen species of algae belonging to four genera were recorded. The phytoplankton showed significant seasonal variation with maxima observed during the cool dry season and minima recorded in the wet summer season. Sixteen species of zooplankton were recorded during the study period, of which members of the Cladocera dominated with seven species, constituting 38% of the total population observed. The seasonal and spatial variation in the composition and distribution of plankton is largely due to climatic conditions in the wetland.