The Estimation of Potential Yield of Water Hyacinth: A Tool for Environmental Management and an Economic Resource for the Niger Delta Region

Abstract: Water hyacinth has seriously infested the waters of the Niger Delta region, cutting across the fresh water aquatic environment of the states that make up the Niger Delta states. However, there is hardly any comprehensive empirical study towards estimating the potential yield of this weed, which though an environmental nuisance, has enormous economic uses. It is only when a realistic estimate of the annual yields available of the weed in the region becomes available, that a considerable investment in its economic utilization can be undertaken. This research was conducted using remote sensing techniques (GIS) via satellite imagery analysis and reconnaissance surveys to conduct a yield assessment survey of the weed in the region. The principal yield parameters of interest focused on by this research are its mass (weight) and extent of spread (distribution) in the region. The distribution and level of abundance of water hyacinth within the Niger Delta region were equally assessed using a combination of both satellite imagery data and extrapolation methods developed exclusively for this study. Satellite imagery data from National Space Development and Research Agency were processed as a basis to evaluate the estimated surface area coverage of water hyacinth across the region.  Standard indices from literature were then used as a bench mark to combine with the satellite imagery estimates in determining the approximate total abundance of the water hyacinth in the region. Names of major rivers and creeks where this weed occurs were also identified through satellite imagery. The study arrived at a total biomass estimate of the weed in the region to be 3,225,000 tons/for the region/year. The study concluded that such yield value annually is adequate to invest in large facilities that could be used to economically utilize the weed and also indirectly control its myriad of environmental problems in the region.