IMPACT OF NYPA PALM (Nypa fruticans Wurmb) AND MANGROVES ON THE PLANKTON AND BENTHIC COMMUNITIES OF THE RIVER ANDONI, NIGERIA.
ABSTRACT The impact of Nypa fruticans (Wurmb) and mangroves on the plankton and benthic communities of Andoni river was carried out between January and August, 2017. Four stations were chosen based on Nypa palm and native mangrove species’ presence and absence. Water quality parameters include; pH 6.99±0.16, Temperature 28.20±0.050C, D.O 4.71±0.18mg/L, Conductivity 19.52±0.20µm/s, Salinity 10.76±0.07ppt, TDS 13.45±0.27ppt. Mean values of the physico-chemical parameters (p