Journal of Environment and Ecology ISSN 2157-6092 2012, Vol. 3, No. 1 www.macrothink.org/jee 185 Can Wetland Vegetation be Used to Describe Anthropogenic Effects and Pollution Patterns? The Case of Dakodwom and Kaase Wetlands in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana Benjamin Betey Campion AG Physiogeographie, Leobnerstr 2. Universität Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany Tel: 49-421-2186-3487 E-mail: bbcampion@uni-bremen.de Simeon Nii Laryea Odametey (Corresponding author) Department of Fisheries and Watershed Management Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology Kumasi, Ghana E-mail: simeonodametey@gmail.com Received: May 17, 2012 Accepted: May 30, 2012 Published: December 31, 2012 doi:10.5296/jee.v3i1.1812 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jee.v3i1.1812 Abstract Wetlands in general are losing their peculiar features, attributes, functions and products although the need to protect them is on the increase globally. Wetlands in Kumasi are not exempted. They are either being converted to other land uses or are directly affected by adjacent land use. Also, the vegetation of the different wetlands in Kumasi varies. This spatial heterogeneity in species of these urban spaces therefore makes management difficult. This research is therefore aimed at using the wetland vegetation to describe anthropogenic effects and pollution patterns in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Two large riverine wetland areas in Kumasi were selected. All plant species that are within 30 m from water channel were identified. Heavy metal concentrations and the associated anthropogenic activities in these wetlands were assessed. A total of 48 different plant species were identified in the study areas. Plant species with high importance value index observed at the sites included Ipomoea