Plankton diversity in Oriyanrin lower Ogun river water body

Abstract

The plankton diversity of Oriyanrin lagoon, Ogun State, was sampled from February to September 2019. Plankton net was used to collect samples for plankton analysis. A plankton analysis per ml was carried out in the laboratory with the help of a binocular microscope. Results were presented using inferential and descriptive statistics, while diversity data was analyzed using diversity software. Forty taxa of plankton were encountered. Phytoplankton consisted of three families namely; Cyanobacteria, Bacillariophyceae and Rhodophyceae. Three groups of zooplankton encountered were Protozoa, Xanthophyceae and Desmidaceae. The plankton diversity of Oriyanrin lagoon, the system was high with a Simpson diversity index of 0.97, low dominance (0.03), and high evenness (0.94). The high value of plankton taxa and the number of individuals was an indication of a good aquatic environment. This ecological system should be maintained, which supports high plankton diversity, and its pollution should be discouraged to continue providing a healthy habitat for its aquatic inhabitants.