Assessment of the Composition of Aquatic Macrophytes in the Twin Lakes, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Ikeogu; C.F; Akinrotimi O. A; Ezeh; I. R

doi:10.56201/jbgr.vol.12.no3.2026.pg13.24

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Assessment of the Composition of Aquatic Macrophytes in the Twin Lakes, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Ikeogu, C.F, Akinrotimi O. A, and Ezeh, I. R, .

Abstract

This study assessed the composition of aquatic macrophytes in the Twin Lakes of Nnamdi Azikiwe University over a three-month period (June–August, 2024), with emphasis on spatial (Lake 1 and Lake 2) and temporal variations. Three sampling locations were selected in each lake, these represented varying depths and habitat conditions. For each location, macrophytes were identified to species level, and their composition was estimated by counting individual plants within a quadrat (1 m2) placed randomly along the lake margins. Results obtained revealed that a total of seven macrophyte species belonging to two phyla (Tracheophyta and Streptophyta), four classes, and five families were recorded during the study. The dominant families included Onagraceae, Cyperaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Fimbristylis. Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) was the most abundant species in both lakes throughout the study. The highest (800) individual plants was in Ipomoea aquatica (water spinach) at Lake 2 in the month of June and the lowest (23) was in Ludwigia decurrens (water primrose) at Lake 2 in the month of August. Other notable species included Nymphaea oleracea (water mimosa), Sacciolepis cyperinus (wool grass), and Fimbristylis dichotoma, which also exhibited relatively high abundance but followed a decreasing trend over time. Species such as Ludwigia decurrens and Ludwigia peploides (water primrose) showed moderate abundance, while Cymbopogon citratus (lemon grass) maintained relatively stable but lower values. Temporal analysis indicated a general decline in macrophytes abundance from June to August in both lakes, suggesting possible seasonal influences such as changes in rainfall, water level, and nutrient availability. Spatially, Lake 2 consistently supported higher macrophytes abundance than Lake 1, indicating more favorable ecological conditions. The findings highlighted the dominance of a few macrophyte species and underscore the influence of seasonal and habitat variability on aquatic vegetation dynamics. This has implications for ecosystem productivity, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable management of freshwater systems.

Keywords

Aquatic macrophytesBiodiversityFreshwater ecologyLake ecosystem. P-ISSN 2695-222X

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Assessment of the Composition of Aquatic Macrophytes in the Twin Lakes, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

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