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<p>This study examined the impact of disturbance-related factors on plant communities across ten riparian corridors in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area of Ghana. The prevalence index method was used to classify plants as wetland and non-wetland species. Cluster analysis, the Gambin model, and Hill numbers were employed to assess compositional similarities, species distribution patterns, and diversity, respectively, while the CCA technique was applied to evaluate species responses to disturbances. A total of 3,307 individuals from 40 families and 123 species were sampled. Three of the ten riparian sites (Kaasi (KARV) (χ<sup>2</sup> = 9.09, <i>P</i> = 0.03), Denyami (DAST) (χ<sup>2</sup> = 9.19, <i>P</i> = 0.02), and Nhyiaso (NHST) (χ<sup>2</sup> = 10.31, <i>P</i> = 0.04)) showed significant differences in their species distribution. Overall, the significant effect of disturbances across the ten riparian sites (Kwχ<sup>2</sup> = 190.5, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.0004), indicated that burning (<i>r</i> = 0.68, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.01), and clear cutting (<i>r</i> = 0.84, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) and solid waste (<i>r</i> = 0.26, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) on axis I, and erosion (<i>r</i> = -0.52, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05), farming (<i>r</i> = 0.80, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) and liquid waste (<i>r</i> = -0.25, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) were the main drivers that favoured the dominance of dry land species namely facultative upland species (32.5%), facultative species (30.1%), and obligate upland species (23.6%), compared with obligate wetland species (<i>n</i> = 17 hydrophytes, 13.8%). These disturbances not only affected the hydrophyte population but also reduced abundance and diversity (Kwχ<sup>2</sup> = 18.1, <i>P</i> &lt; 0.0002) in severely disturbed sites. The widespread presence of alien invasive plants across nearly all sites indicates their proliferation is facilitated by disturbances. The findings underscore the threats facing riparian systems amid urban land management practices and population pressures, and emphasize the importance for urban environmental managers to consider implementing restoration measures proposed in this study.</p>

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Assessing urban riparian degradation, using an indicator-based species approach in a West African suburban area

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月16日

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  • Collins Ayine Nsor,
  • Racheal Opoku-Afriyie,
  • Micheal Asigbaase,
  • Dorcas Peggy Somuah,
  • Frederick Gyasi Damptey,
  • Louis Addae-Wireko,
  • Frank Osei Danquah

摘要

This study examined the impact of disturbance-related factors on plant communities across ten riparian corridors in the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area of Ghana. The prevalence index method was used to classify plants as wetland and non-wetland species. Cluster analysis, the Gambin model, and Hill numbers were employed to assess compositional similarities, species distribution patterns, and diversity, respectively, while the CCA technique was applied to evaluate species responses to disturbances. A total of 3,307 individuals from 40 families and 123 species were sampled. Three of the ten riparian sites (Kaasi (KARV) (χ2 = 9.09, P = 0.03), Denyami (DAST) (χ2 = 9.19, P = 0.02), and Nhyiaso (NHST) (χ2 = 10.31, P = 0.04)) showed significant differences in their species distribution. Overall, the significant effect of disturbances across the ten riparian sites (Kwχ2 = 190.5, P < 0.0004), indicated that burning (r = 0.68, P < 0.01), and clear cutting (r = 0.84, P < 0.001) and solid waste (r = 0.26, P < 0.05) on axis I, and erosion (r = -0.52, P < 0.05), farming (r = 0.80, P < 0.001) and liquid waste (r = -0.25, P < 0.05) were the main drivers that favoured the dominance of dry land species namely facultative upland species (32.5%), facultative species (30.1%), and obligate upland species (23.6%), compared with obligate wetland species (n = 17 hydrophytes, 13.8%). These disturbances not only affected the hydrophyte population but also reduced abundance and diversity (Kwχ2 = 18.1, P < 0.0002) in severely disturbed sites. The widespread presence of alien invasive plants across nearly all sites indicates their proliferation is facilitated by disturbances. The findings underscore the threats facing riparian systems amid urban land management practices and population pressures, and emphasize the importance for urban environmental managers to consider implementing restoration measures proposed in this study.