Influence of Human Activities on Insect Diversity and Abundance in the Wetland Environment
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University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh INFLUENCE OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON INSECT DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE IN THE WETLAND ENVIRONMENT BY BEATRICE AYORKOR MENSAH 10357994 THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MPHIL ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEGREE JUNE, 2013 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION I hereby declare that except for references to other people‟s work, which I have duly acknowledged, this dissertation is the result of my own research work under the supervision of Dr Rosina Kyerematen and Dr. Ted Annang. This work has neither in part nor wholly been presented elsewhere for another degree or for any other purpose. ………………………………………. .……..………………. BEATRICE AYORKOR MENSAH DATE (STUDENT) ……………………………..…… ………........................ DR. ROSINA KYEREMATEN DATE (SUPERVISOR) …………………………….. ……………………… DR. TED ANNANG DATE (CO- SUPERVISOR) i University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to God almighty and my dear father Mr. JOSEPH Mensah Mensah and my children. ii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENT My foremost appreciation goes to the Lord Almighty for sustaining me throughout the course of this research. I would first like to express my gratitude to my supervisors, Dr. Rosina Kyerematen and Dr. Ted Annang under whose diligent supervision this study has been successfully completed. I would like to acknowledge the Health Division CSIR Institute Ecological Laboratory, Department of Geography and Resource Development and the Centre for African Wetlands for the use of their laboratory facilities. I also feel a deep sense of gratitude to Mr. Henry Ekow Davis, Mr. Roger Sigismond whose selfless and valued contribution and support by way of identification of insect in the laboratory contributed immensely to the successful completion of this study. I am also thankful to Mr. Daniel Acquah-Lamptey and Mr. Jones Dartey whose selflessa and valued contribution and support on the field contributed immensely to the successful completion of this work. I am also grateful to Mr. Francis Doe for his help with data analysis. Lastly, my profound thanks go to my husband, Mr. Abraham Laryea Okorley for his support, understanding and encouragement and for his immense contribution in diverse ways during my MPhil. Programme iii University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION ................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION ...................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................. iii TABLE OF CONTENT ....................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. xii LIST OF PLATES ............................................................................................................ xiii ABSTRACT ....................................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Justification ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Hypothesis ....................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER TWO .................................................................................................................. 7 LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Definition of Wetlands .................................................................................................... 7 2.2 Biodiversity ..................................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Types of Wetlands........................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Ghana‟s Wetland Resources ........................................................................................... 9 2.4.1 Marine/Coastal Wetland............................................................................................... 9 2.4.2 Inland Wetlands ......................................................................................................... 10 2.4.3 Man-Made Wetlands .................................................................................................. 10 2.5 “Wise Use” of Wetlands .............................................................................................. 10 2.6 Ramsar Wetlands .......................................................................................................... 11 2.7 Wetland Services ........................................................................................................... 11 iv University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.8 Threats to Ghana‟s Wetlands. ....................................................................................... 12 2.9 Insects ............................................................................................................................ 13 2.9.1 Evolution of Insects ................................................................................................... 13 2.9.2 Wetland Insects .......................................................................................................... 14 2.9.3 Subclasses of Insects .................................................................................................. 14 2.9.4 Suborder Exopterygota............................................................................................... 15 2.9.5 Suborder Endopterygota............................................................................................. 15 2.9.6 Importance of Insects in the Aquatic Environment.................................................... 16 2.9.7 Factors influencing Insect Abundance and Diversity ................................................ 16 2.9.7.1 Density-Dependent Factors ..................................................................................... 16 2.9.8 Density-Independent Factors ..................................................................................... 18 2.10 Pollution ...................................................................................................................... 20 2.10.1 Definition ................................................................................................................. 20 2.10.2 Types of Pollution .................................................................................................... 20 2.10.2.1 Water Pollution ..................................................................................................... 21 2.11 Water Quality .............................................................................................................. 24 2.11.1 Physical Characteristics ........................................................................................... 24 2.11.2 Chemical Characteristics .......................................................................................... 24 2.11.3 Biological Characteristics ........................................................................................ 25 2.11.4 Suspended Solids ..................................................................................................... 25 2.11.5 Turbidity ................................................................................................................... 25 2.11.6 Colour ....................................................................................................................... 26 2.11.7 Temperature ............................................................................................................. 26 2.11.8 pH ............................................................................................................................. 26 2.11.9 Conductivity and Salinity ......................................................................................... 27 2.11.10 Dissolved Oxygen (DO) ......................................................................................... 27 2.11.11 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) ................................................................... 28 v University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.11.12 Trace metals ........................................................................................................... 28 2.11.13 Cadmium ................................................................................................................ 28 2.11.14 Copper ...................................................................................................................