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
Abstract
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.
Zenodo Doi:-10.5281/zenodo.21799624
Keywords
Biodiversity, Ecosystem, Fish community, Niger Delta, Climate StressorsHow to Cite
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.
Muringai, R., Mafongoya, P., & Lottering, R. (2021). Climate Change and Variability Impacts on Sub-Saharan African Fisheries: A Review. Reviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture, 29, 706 - 720. https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2020.1867057
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.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jethro, B., Amachree, D., Otene, B. B.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Individual articles are published Open Access under the Creative Commons Licence: CC-BY 4.0.