Methodology for assessment of condition of coastal and marine habitats

Level 7 - Habitat: A specific combination of physical and energy characteristics that creates a suitable place for colonization or use by biota Level 8 - Biotope: The characteristic biology associated with a specific habitat

1.10.2 Methodology for assessment of condition of coastal and marine habitats

Based on the recommendations from the ICFG Biodiversity Threats Assessment report CRC, 2010, Coastal Wetlands in Ghana Armah, 1993, Environmental Sensitivity Map for Coastal Areas of Ghana 2004 and experiences of DOFREDO team members, a comprehensive list of the top 20 coastal sites and habitats found in the Western Region of Ghana was generated Table 1. Each of these sites was characterized by its ecological diversity and uniqueness, current and possible anthropogenic impacts, economic importance, and its geographical representation. Based on cumulative points gained for each of these categories, the sites were ranked. From the generated matrix, sites which fell within the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis areas and ecosystems that have a considerable degree of research were not selected. The final 10 coastalmarine areas Table 2 were selected to represent critical habitats found in the Western region of Ghana. Based on the CoastalMarine Ecological Classification Standard, each of these critical areas was classified to Level 4. There was not much information on physical structures to classify further to Level 7, although a considerable amount of data was generated for Level 8, i.e., biological associations. It is of paramount interest to protect the integrity and structure of these habitats for sustainability. Management of these habitats is deemed crucial in the light of the recent discovery of gas and oil and the expected outburstgrowth in socio-economic activities. To ensure that coastal resources managers are not bereft with the requisite scientific knowhow for the management of these critical habitats, field studies were carried out to provide current information on their status. The field study aimed at inventorizing and documenting the biodiversity of these habitats. Further, assessing the abiotic environment of these habitats was made to ascertain the fitness to support the host biodiversity. Field studies were designed to collect primary data on key indicators of the habitats. 23 Table 1. Ranking of the various coastal areas along the Western Region of Ghana low, medium, high Rank Name Type of ecosystem Unique Diversity Anthropogenic Economic benefits District Present Future 1 Amanzule Lagoon, Estuary Fishing Wildlife habitat Jomoro 2 Wider Cape Three Points Beach, Estuary, Forest, Lagoon, oil spill risk Expansion in amenities, wildlife habitat, Fishing Ahanta West 3 Butre Beach, Mangrove, Estuary, Lagoon Source of water supply, mining Ahanta West 5 Whin River BeachEstuary Fishing Wildlife habitat Sekondi- Takoradi 4 Miamia Rocky Beach Future supply ship docking area, rare flora and fauna, pristine environment Ahanta West 6 Abby Lagoon Transboundary Wetland High productivity Jomoro 7 Ankobra Estuary MangroveFishingWildlife habitat Nzema East 8 Dixcove Beach oil spill risk Fish landing site for large pelagic Ahanta West 9 Esai Lagoon Wildlife habitat Sekondi- Takoradi 10 Essiama Beach Protected area, Shorebirds Jomoro 11 Pra Estuary FishingWildlife habitatMining Shama 12 Ankasa Terrestrial National park Tourism Ellembele 13 Domuli Wetland mangrove forestestuary wildlife Jomoro 14 Efasu Depressional wetland Freshwater lagoon Wildlife habitat Jomoro 15 Egyambra Beach Future Harbor site Ahanta West 16 Essikado Beach Tourism Sekondi- Takoradi 17 Essipon Beach Tourism Sekondi- Takoradi 18 Belibangara Depressional wetland Fishing Wildlife habitat 19 Adjoa Beach, near estuary erosion erosion Shrimp fishing Ahanta West 20 Busua Beach Tourism Ahanta West 24 Table 2. Selected critical habitats in the Western Region, classified using CMECS Madden et al., 2004 NameLocality Level 1 – Ecoregion Level 2 – Regime Level 3 – Systems Level 4 – Hydroform Geoform Belibangara Domunli Freshwater influenced Estuarine system Lagoon Freshwater influenced Estuarine system Lagoon Estuary Mangrove Amansuri Freshwater Estuarine system Lagoon influenced Estuary Swamp peat forest Ankobra Western Region of Ghana, Gulf of Freshwater influenced Estuarine system Estuary Mangrove Miamia Guinea, Marine Near shore marine Sandy and rocky beach Atlantic Ocean Coastal forest Kpani-Nyila Freshwater Estuarine system Estuary Sandy beach with rocky outcrop Mangrove Princestown Marine Near shore marine Sandy and rocky beach Coastal Forest Cape Three Points Butre Marine Near shore marine Rocky beach Coastal Forest Freshwater Estuarine system Lagoon Sandy beach with rocky outcrops Mangrove 25 2 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY 2.1 Water Quality

2.1.1 CTD Deployment