Assessment of the Socioeconomic Impacts of Water Hyacinth in the Ada Communities on the Lower Volta River of Ghana
2026
Bukari, Solomon, Aduko | Dodd, Matt
Abstract The Lower Volta River provides essential ecosystem services that support livelihoods, income,and economic opportunities. However, the invasion of water hyacinth significantly hinders these benefits. This study evaluates the ecosystem services of the Lower Volta River and the perceived effects of water hyacinth invasion and management strategies in the Ada community in Ghana. Data collection involved surveys, stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, and was analyzed using linear regression and descriptive statistics. Key ecosystem services include fish, prawns, clams, flood protection, and water quality for recreation. Water hyacinth significantly affects these services (ANOVA, F=27.44, p<0.001), contributing 75.2% of the variance in ecosystem service impacts. Communities mainly rely on physical control measures, with minimal adoption of chemical or utilization-based approaches. The study recommends innovative management strategies, including biological control and water hyacinth utilization, to mitigate socioeconomic impacts and enhance sustainable ecosystem management in Ghana. Keywords: Invasive aquatic weed, Water hyacinth, Socioeconomic effects, Control measures
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