Assessment of aquatic vegetation invasion of Jebba Lake, Nigeria

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of aquatic vegetation was carried out along the length and breadth of Jebba Lake, Nigeria (latitude 9 degrees 10' and 9 degrees 55'N and longitude 4 degrees 30' and 4 degrees 50'E). Ground truth survey was carried out between 23rd and 27th August 1999 to produce a map with a working grid which was subsequently superimposed on the latest satellite imagery of Jebba Lake obtained from Forestry Research and Meteorological Coordinating Unit, Abuja. Analysis of the map showed that aquatic vegetation is localized to the northern part of the lake. The highest vegetation coverage of the lake stood at about 1.91% in the rainy season during the period of study with aquatic vegetation coverage restricted to the upper reaches of the lake. The lower reaches of the lake were found devoid of vegetation probably due to the physical characteristics of the lake in the region, which include the depth and undisturbed pristine riverine forest surrounded by hills and mountains. These created an extensive relief detrimental to the establishment of flood plains and the development of emergent aquatic macrophytes. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]