SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF AQUATIC MACROPHYTES TO SOME FISHING COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The research was conducted to identify types of aquatic macrophytes that grow in and around reservoirs, their uses, and the impacts of the macrophytes on fishing communities at Bontanga, Golinga, and Libga reservoirs, the Buipela dam, and the Black Volta at Buipe in the Northern Region of Ghana. The principal methods were ocular observation, photography and semi-structured interviews using questionnaires. The predominant macrophytes identified and their uses were: Vossia cuspidata, Elodea canadensis, and Echinochloa stagnina used as fodder for livestock; shoots of Ipomea aquatica, Panicum hemitomon, and Phragmites karka were used as roofing material, and for making hats, mats and necklaces; Nymphoid indica, Nympheae lotus, Elodea canadensis, Alternanthera sessilis, Pistia stratiotes and Hydrocharitaceae spp were being used to treat stomach ulcer, rheumatism, malaria, flu and boils; Ludwgia stolonifera and Ludwigia peploids were used as feed and as food for human consumption. Eichhornia natan and Triglochin dubia were identified without any known uses. It was also observed that the macrophytes impeded fishing operation at the study areas by entangling the fishing net of the fishermen. Exploding masses of macrophytes such as Ludwgia stolonifera were observed to redirect paddling, making fishing operation tedious. Nevertheless, some of the macrophytes were being used as bait to catch fish and as soap (Ludwigia peploid) to wash fishing gears. Sustainable use of the reservoirs require active mechanical, chemical, biological, or integrated control methods and the commercial exploitation of the macrophytes for production of useful products in local industries.