Marine Biodiversity Survey of Coral Habitats Around Okoro Reef, Bayelsa State

Coral reef ecosystems support extraordinary levels of marine biodiversity and provide essential ecological services including habitat provision, coastal buffering, and fisheries productivity. This study conducts a biodiversity survey of coral habitats around Okoro Reef in the shallow offshore waters of Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria, a region where coral communities exist under conditions of elevated sedimentation, turbidity, and petroleum contamination. Belt transect surveys are deployed at five reef stations at depths ranging from two to twelve metres during two survey periods in 2024. Coral cover, species composition, bleaching prevalence, and associated fish and invertebrate assemblages are recorded using SCUBA diving and snorkelling protocols. Water quality parameters including temperature, pH, turbidity, and dissolved oxygen are measured at each station. Photographic records are processed using CoralNet software for percentage cover estimation. Findings are expected to reveal moderate coral cover with conspicuous bleaching patches attributable to elevated water temperatures and chronic sedimentation from dredging and riverine input. The study identifies indicator species sensitive to anthropogenic disturbance and compares current biodiversity metrics with historical records from the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research. Recommendations address the urgent need for reef protected area designation and reduction of sediment-generating activities. Keywords: coral biodiversity, Okoro Reef, Bayelsa State, reef bleaching, marine protected areas