ABSTRACT
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the Aghuakuari River, Edo state, Nigeria, emphasizing its physical and chemical characteristics, the composition of bankroot biotope invertebrates, and the intricate relationships between environmental factors and invertebrate communities. This study was carried out for four (3) months across three (3) stations from April 2023 through July, 2023.The Aghuakuari River exhibited remarkable environmental stability, with key findings including mean air temperatures of 28°C ± 2.415, 29.5°C ± 1.323, and 27.5°C ± 2.327 for Stations 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Water temperature ranged from 26.25°C ± 0.75 to 26.5°C ± 0.5 across stations. Flow rates, ranging from 8.62 cm/s to 50.00 cm/s, displayed mean values of 6.70 cm/s, 0.17 cm/s, and 11.41 cm/s for Stations 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The study also assessed several chemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), suspended solids (SS), dissolved oxygen (DO), and more. Across these parameters, the analysis consistently revealed no significant spatial differences (P>0.05) across all stations. At total of 6 taxa inhabiting the riverbanks was identified, with a total of 394 individuals recorded. The investigation of bankroot biotope invertebrates revealed a rich diversity of taxa inhabiting the riverbanks. Notably, Station 1 had the highest total number of individuals (181) but a moderate number of taxa (8). Station 2 exhibited the highest taxa richness (16) but a lower total number of individuals (83), while Station 3 displayed fewer taxa (6) and an intermediate total number of individuals (130). The river's stability, biodiversity, and interconnectivity with environmental factors underscore its significance for both ecological conservation and sustainable water resource management. Future research, ongoing monitoring, and proactive management practices are essential to ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the Aghuakuari River and its surrounding ecosystem
