Published August 4, 2026 | Version v1
Dataset Open

Review: Impact of Climate Change on Aquatic Biodiversity and Fish Communities in the Aquatic Ecosystem in Nigeria, with a Focus on the Niger Delta Region

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ignatius Ajuru University Ndele Campus
  • 2. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Environment, Rivers State University

Description

Climate change poses significant threats to aquatic biodiversity and fish communities in Nigeria, impacting both natural ecosystems like wetlands, rivers, and lakes, and man-made systems such as ponds and reservoirs. Increasing temperatures, fluctuating rainfall patterns, flooding, and rise in sea-level, disrupt water quality, habitat availability, and ecological patterns, poses adverse effects on fisheries productivity and food security.

Files

Review Impact of Climate Change on .pdf

Files (569.7 kB)

Name Size Download all
md5:231eb307e2af7b8f2bfef4fd12ae07b3
569.7 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Dates

Available
2026-08-04

References

  • Adebayo, O. T., & Daramola, J. A. (2017). Climate change impacts on aquaculture production in Nigeria: A review. Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 12(3), 123–130.
  • Adewumi, A. A., & Olaleye, V. F. (2011). Policy constraints to aquaculture development in Nigeria. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 6(14), 3335–3340.
  • Adewumi, A., Agunbiade, O., Longe, O., Fadiya, O., & Adewumi, I. (2018). Climate Change and the Niger Delta Region. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal. https://doi.org/10.14738/assrj.59.4513
  • Akinrotimi, O., & Edun, O. (2015). Impact of Climate Change on Brackish Water Aquaculture Development in the Coastal Areas of Niger Delta. International Journal of Approximate Reasoning, 10, 44-53. https://doi.org/10.3923/ijar.2015.44.53
  • Akpoilih, B., & Ekeanyanwu, R. (2010). Climate change and aquatic ecosystems in Africa: vulnerability and adaptations of Niger-Delta coast to sea level rise.. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v14i3.61472
  • Alphonsus, U. (2023). Impact of Climate Change on Fisheries Resources in the Eastern Niger Delta Regions, Nigeria. Journal of Basic and Applied Research International. https://doi.org/10.56557/jobari/2023/v29i48440
  • Anabi, A., Toudjani, A., Youssoufa, I., & Mannirou, A. (2025). Impacts of climate variability and change on Lake Guidimouni (Zinder/Niger) and its provided ecosystem services. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.26.1.1253
  • Anyanwu, C. N., Amadi-Eke, A. C., & Nwaka, D. E. (2020). Fish health management in Nigerian aquaculture: Challenges and prospects. Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, 32(1), 45–52.
  • Aransiola, S. A., Zobeashia, S. S., & et al. (2024). Niger Delta mangrove ecosystem: Biodiversity, past and present threats, and sustainable management. Regional Studies in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2024.103201
  • Aroyehun, A., & Henri-Ukoha, A. (2025). The impact of climate change on aquaculture and fisheries production in Nigeria. Discovery Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v11i23.e8da3119
  • Balogun, V. S., & Onokerhoraye, A. G. (2022). Climate change vulnerability mapping across ecological zones in Delta State, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Climate Services, 27, Article 100304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2022.100304
  • Dienye, H., Ikwuemesi, J., Akankali, J., & Olopade, O. (2023). Gas flaring-induced impacts on aquatic resources in the Niger Delta Region, Nigeria. Journal of Aquatic Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4314/jas.v38i1.6
  • Elenwo, E. I., & Akankali, J. A. (2014). Impact of climate change on aquatic fauna of economic importance in Niger Delta, Nigeria. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 4(4), 710–720. https://doi.org/10.4236/acs.2014.44064
  • Favour, V. (2020). Climate change and coping strategies of Ibeno and Onna coastal fishing communities in Niger Delta, Nigeria. 045-052. https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2020.10.3.0051
  • Hassoun, A.E.R., Mojtahid, M., Merheb, M., Lionello, P., Gattuso, J. P., & Cramer, W. (2025) Climate change risks on key open marine and coastal mediterranean ecosystems. Sci Rep 15, 24907 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07858
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009325844
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2023). Climate change 2023: Synthesis Report. Geneva, switzerland.
  • Ite, A. E., Ufot, U. F., Ite, M. U., & Isaac, I. O. (2013). Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution in the Niger Delta: Effects on fisheries and aquatic ecosystems. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20(10), 7015–7025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1748-6
  • K, P., M, M., Rajamanickam, S., Sivarethinamohan, S., Gaddam, M., Velusamy, P., R, G., Ravindiran, G., Gurugubelli, T., & Muniasamy, S. (2023). Impact of climate change and anthropogenic activities on aquatic ecosystem - A review.. Environmental research, 117233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.117233
  • Lawson, E. O., & Agbo, N. C. (2018). Feeding habits and dietary preferences of selected fish species in Nigerian coastal waters. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 34(4), 987–994.
  • Mmom, P. C., & Chukwu-Okeah, G. O. (2018). Climate change and coastal ecosystems in the Niger Delta: Impacts and adaptation strategies. Journal of Environmental Management, 45(2), 112–120.
  • Mmom, P. C., & Chukwu-Okeah, G. O. (2018). Climate change and coastal ecosystems in the Niger Delta: Impacts and adaptation strategies. Journal of Environmental Management, 45(2), 112–120.
  • Ndimele, P. E., Kumolu-Johnson, C. A., & Anetekhai, M. A. (2011). The invasive water hyacinth: A threat to Nigerian aquatic ecosystems. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 5(9), 745–752.
  • Nuruddeen, M., Goswani, S., & Srivastava, P. (2025). Climate Change Challenges the Wetland Resource in Nigeria: Significant Impacts on Hydrology and Biogeochemistry of Aquatic Ecosystem. Journal of Information Systems Engineering and Management. https://doi.org/10.52783/jisem.v10i17s.2757
  • Ogunji, J. O., Iheanacho, S. C., & Mgbabu, C. (2021). Alternative feed resources for sustainable aquaculture in Nigeria. Aquaculture International, 29(3), 1123–1135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-021-00678-4
  • Okafor, G., Chukwueloka, E., Nwosu, A., & Jimoh, O. (2025). Water-related ecosystem services under potential climate and land use change: Implications for smallholder farmers in the Niger Delta Region. Nigerian Journal of Hydrological Sciences. https://doi.org/10.4314/njhydrosci.v12i1.9
  • Okogwu, O. I., & Ugwumba, A. A. (2019). Climate change effects on Lake Chad fisheries: Challenges and opportunities. African Journal of Ecology, 57(1), 89–97.
  • Olaosebikan, B. D., & Raji, A. (2019). Genetic improvement of fish species for aquaculture in Nigeria. Journal of Fisheries Research, 3(2), 56–63.
  • Onyena, A. P., & Chukwu, L. O. (2020). Indigenous knowledge in fisheries management: A case study of the Niger Delta. Journal of Sustainable Development, 13(4), 78–86.
  • Onyena, A. P., & Sam, K. (2020). A review of the threat of oil exploitation to mangrove ecosystem: Insights from Niger Delta, Nigeria. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, Article e00961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00961
  • Onyeneke, R., Igberi, C., Aligbe, J., Iruo, F., Amadi, M., Iheanacho, S., Osuji, E., Munonye, J., & Uwadoka, C. (2020). Climate change adaptation actions by fish farmers: evidence from the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8489.12359
  • Sai, B., & Pattnaik, R. (2023). Impact of climate change on ecology and biodiversity of Africa- a review. International Journal of Agricultural and Applied Sciences. https://doi.org/10.52804/ijaas2023.4218
  • Sarré, A., Demarcq, H., Keenlyside, N., Krakstad, J., Ayoubi, S., Jeyid, A., Faye, S., Mbaye, A., Sidibeh, M., & Brehmer, P. (2024). Climate change impacts on small pelagic fish distribution in Northwest Africa: trends, shifts, and risk for food security. Scientific Reports, 14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-61734-8
  • Thompson, J., Laizé, C., Acreman, M., Crawley, A., & Kingston, D. (2021). Impacts of climate change on environmental flows in West Africa's Upper Niger Basin and the Inner Niger Delta. Hydrology Research. https://doi.org/10.2166/nh.2021.041
  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) 1992 FCCC/INFORMAL 84. GE. 05-62220 (E) 2000705 Wahab, M., & Iyiola, A. (2023). Climate change, wildlife and fisheries: A review of impact on Nigeria's food security. Proceedings of the Nigerian Academy of Science. https://doi.org/10.57046/vzhe8024.