Evaluating the Effectiveness of Wetland Conservation in Maintaining Biodiversity in the Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands, North East Nigeria

The Hadejia-Nguru wetlands in North East Nigeria constitute one of the most important Ramsar-listed wetland systems in West Africa, supporting exceptional biodiversity and providing critical ecosystem services to millions of people. This study evaluated the effectiveness of existing conservation measures in maintaining biodiversity within the wetlands, focusing on waterbird diversity, vegetation condition, and fish species richness as ecological indicators. Field surveys were conducted at ten monitoring stations distributed across protected core zones and multiple-use buffer areas. Waterbirds were surveyed using point count methods, aquatic vegetation assessed using standard phytosociological techniques, and fish sampled using gill nets of varied mesh sizes. Comparisons between protected core zones and buffer areas revealed significantly higher waterbird species richness and abundance in protected zones, including several migratory Palearctic shorebirds. Vegetation cover was more intact and structurally diverse in protected areas. Fish diversity, however, did not differ significantly between zones, possibly reflecting the effects of reduced river inflow due to upstream dam operations on overall fish productivity. The study concludes that current conservation efforts provide partial but inadequate protection, particularly in the context of declining water availability from the Hadejia River. Recommendations include revisiting upstream water allocation policies and strengthening community participation in wetland management governance. Keywords: wetland conservation, biodiversity, Hadejia-Nguru, waterbirds, North East Nigeria.