IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 13, Issue 8 Ser. II (August. 2019), PP 14-18 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/2402-1308021418 www.iosrjournals.org 14 | Page Diversity and Abundance of Fish Species in Some Selected Riverine Wetlands of Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria Bonjoru, R 1 *., K.A Abubakar 2 ., Hassan, E.I 2 ., & Jerry, T.J 1 1 Department of Biology, College of Education, P.M.B 1021, Zing, Taraba State 2 Department of Zoology, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, P.M.B 2076 Yola, Adamawa State Corresponding Author: Bonjoru, R Abstract: This study was carried out to look at the diversity and abundance of fish species in some selected riverine wetlands of the Upper Benue River Basin. The study was carried out for a 6 month period (July to December 2016). Sampling was by direct observation of the fish at the landing sites. Frequency counts, percentages were used to analyze the fish species composition and abundance while ComEcolPaC (a Microsoft Excel 2003 based program) was used to analyze the variation in the diversity indices. A total of 26 species from 16 families were observed in the riverine wetlands studied and the most diverse groups of fish species were: Schilbe spp with 10.95% and the least in abundance is Gymnarchus niloticus with 0.45%. A systematic management approach like comprehensive rational planning, precautionary and adaptive approaches toward management and development of Riverine wetlands is hereby recommended. Furthermore, government should take immediate action through public awareness and education to regulate fishing activities. Keywords: Diversity, Abundance, Fish Species, Wetlands, Upper Benue River Basin. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 09-08-2019 Date of Acceptance: 23-08-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Fishes are the best known species of aquatic organisms and they are the only food source harvested from natural populations [1]. More so, fishes are said to be existing at or near the top of the food chain and has been serving as a major indicator of a balanced aquatic ecosystem [2]. Fish has been identified as suitable for biological assessment due to its easy identification and economic value [3]. Furthermore, fishes are often considered as engineers of aquatic ecosystems, not only react to physical and chemical changes in their environment, but they can also drive such changes and have important roles in cleansing and detoxifying their environment [4]. Over the past few decades, fish resources decreased dramatically, and endemic species have faced continuous threats globally [5]. It is a known fact that Overfishing, water diversion, pollution, global climate change, land erosion and other anthropogenic activities are considered as the main threats to fish biodiversity [6, 7]. Therefore, the conservation of fish biodiversity has become more imperative and of utmost importance. Wetlands were often regarded as wastelands because of some problems like disease vectors associated with them [8]. Asibor [9] stated that for an area to be considered a wetland, it must possess water, wetland plants and wetland soils. Today the fish diversity and associated habitats management is a great challenge and the ability to evaluate the effects of habitat change and other impacts on the fish population required extensive surveying of the fish population before and after the change occur [10]. The fish diversity, community structure and species assemblages in the streams and rivers are interdependent on many abiotic and biotic factors. These factors determine the success or failure of fish species assemblages in the rivers or streams within the range of spatial distribution limits [11]. Parameters such as species composition, species richness, abundance have been used in many studies to describe and assess fish community and diversity [12]. Before now, fewer studies on Diversity of Fish species were undertake in the wetlands of Mayo Ranewo to include the studies of [13]. The fisheries productivity of these riverine wetlands could not have been optimized as this majorly depends on the ecological studies which have not been fully undertaken. Hence, the study seeks to investigate the diversity and abundance of fish species in some selected riverine wetlands of the Upper Benue River Basin, Nigeria with the single aim of updating the fish diversity profile of the study area.