INTRODUCTION
Mismanagement of natural resources coupled with an ever increasing population has been responsible for introducing many undesirable modifications to aquatic environments. Most of the freshwater resources are under the stress of urbanisation and large-scale industrialisation. The development of new environmental problems as a result of this has given rise to new ideas in the field of monitoring and assessment of aquatic ecosystems. The overall condition or health of aquatic ecosystems is determined by the interaction of all its physical, chemical and biological components, which make up its ecosystem. Information on and understanding of environmental change is necessary to allow for the protection and remediation of ecosystems. Ecological assessment considering all components of the ecosystem helps in arriving at appropriate conservation strategies and restoration methods towards the conservation, management and sustainable use of natural resources. |
