Abundance and ecological classification of fish Species: A case study of Owalla Reservoir, Osun State, Nigeria
Abstract
Section titled “Abstract”Paper summary generated by OpenAI: This study investigates the abundance and ecological classification of fish species in the Owalla Reservoir, Osun State, Nigeria, over a 12-month period. A total of 15 fish species were identified, with Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus being the most abundant, constituting 25.9% of the total catch. The ecological structure, assessed through the Forage-Carnivore (F/C) ratio, indicated an unbalanced ecosystem overall, although it approached balance during the wet season. The findings highlight the dominance of herbivores and suggest management strategies to enhance the sustainability of fish populations in the reservoir.