Towards Conservation of Coastal Wetlands: An Assessment of The Ecological Health Status of A Neglected Lagoon In Ghana

Abstract

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems that support biological communities and human populations. Anthropogenic activities have over the years affected these coastal wetlands globally leading to a loss of about 50% of these areas. There have therefore been calls to conserve these wetlands in order to sustain future generations. However, data to support conservation efforts on most of these ecosystems is lacking. The ecological health status of an aquatic system is one indicator that can form the basis of conservation or restoration actions. In Ghana, the Brenu Lagoon in the Central Region has been neglected in terms of ecological health research over the years. This study therefore aimed at assessing the ecological health of the Brenu lagoon using benthic macroinvertebrates. The study showed that the lagoon is hypersaline and moderately polluted with a dominance of two stress-tolerant species – Capitella Capitata and Ampithoe sp. The current state of pollution of the lagoon may be associated with waste disposal and agricultural activities within the catchment of the lagoon. Further studies are required to establish the linkage between these activities and the state of the lagoon on the basis of which remedial actions can be taken.

Environmental education toward the protection of biodiversity in a coastal lagoon in Ghana

“…This school was selected due to its close proximity (< 1 km) to the Brenu Lagoon (5 4 0 7.8 00 N; 1 25 0 53.3 00 W), a hypersaline closed lagoon in Ghana which is fast turning into a waste site. The lagoon is popular for the West African mud creeper, Tympanotonus fuscatus, although its population has reduced in recent years due to pollution (Akwetey et al 2021). The lagoon serves as a feeding and nesting site for birds such as the weaver bird.…”