Awba dam (AwD) Reservoirs, habitat for several species of wildlife and spot for tourist attraction. It was dredged for ecotourism development during 2013. This paper assessed the effects of dredging on the present physico-chemical characteristics of the water, trace metal levels, and avian composition within the dam site.
Habitat assessment, physicochemical parameters assessment and bird survey was investigated. Stratified random sampling was used to allocate 7 transects into within the dam site. Bird surveys were carried out morning and evenings. (6:00 –10:30 hrs and 16:00–18: 30 hrs). Birds heard and seen were recorded. These were monitored twice for two (2) wet and two (2) dry seasons of 2013-2014 respectively. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Values of physicochemical parameters of the dam observed ranged as follows: water temperature, 24-26°C, transparency 0.0-0.3m, TDS 143.2-151.5mg/L, conductivity, 289.2-391.5µmhos/cm respectively. The mean rainfall for 2013-2015 was 1550mm, while mean air temperature was at 22-23°C respectively. Zn was (-0.641), Cu was (0.788) while Fe was (0.797) respectively. A total of 18 species of birds comprising of 11 families and 6 orders were recorded during this survey. These are seven (7) carnivores (38.8%), three (3) frugivores (16.6%), five (5) granivores (27.7%), two (2) insectivores (11.1%), and one (1) nectarinivores (5.55%) respectively. The AwD had no worker/staff as at the time of documenting the findings.
Impact of dredging has taken a heavy toll on the environmental indices as well as the flora and fauna species diversity with over sixty (60%) of the species lost.
Topics: Conservation and management of tropical marine ecosystems
