A Model of Ecosystem Stability and Development of Ekperiama, Niger Delta
Sabina Alatari Ngodigha
Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, 560103, Nigeria.
Koru Joe Alagoa *
Department of Biological Sciences, Niger Delta University, Amassoma, 560103, Nigeria.
Pereowei Stephen Daworiye
Department of Biological Sciences, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, 561101, Nigeria.
Ipiteikumoh Bekewei
Department of Mathematics, Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education, Sagbama, 561101, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
An Ecopath model was applied to analyse the stability and development of the aquatic ecosystem in Ekperiama in the Niger Delta. A total of 23 functional groups were used to determine the key features of the aquatic system. Indicators of ecosystem stability and development analysed were: Ominivory index 0.17, connectance index 0.23, path length 2.6, relatively low biomass to throughput ratio 0.0013, acendency 56%, Finn’s cycling index 3.68, low primary production to biomass ratio 23.1 and ratio of total primary production to total respiration 0.46. These indicators are consistent with a system where moderate (or tolerable) exploitation generally drives back development to earlier stages suggesting a system in its developmental stage.
Keywords: Development, ecosystem, indicators, stability