SURVEY ON MAJOR ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES TRIGGERING THE DEGRADATION OF NIGER DELTA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM ENVIRONMENT
Author(s): Wali, Elekwachi; Ajake, Anim. O
Institute(s): 1 Department of Geography, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; 2 Department of Geography/Environmental Resource Planning, University of Calabar
Volume 4 / Issue 1
Abstract
Wetland ecosystem stands as an area of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters. A cross-sectional and historical research design was adopted in the study. The study used a simple random sampling technique. The study population was 2,780,494 but, for the purpose of this study, the population of the study area was carefully and randomly selected, two L.G.As in each state of study (Akwa-Ibom State, Bayelsa State and Rivers State), whereas 18 communities in the study area where sampled. A total of 400 respondents was administered questionnaire to across each category. Data generated from the questionnaire were imported from the Microsoft Excel software and coded into SPSS for analysis. For reliability of the questionnaire, the Cronbach’s alpha method was used and it indicated a correlation coefficient of 0.91. Both primary and secondary data sources were employed in the study. The satellite imageries were also employed using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques for our digital map production. The result of the study indicated that 68.3% of the respondents agreed that the wetland ecosystem is exposed to urbanization. Considering the water retention capacity of wetland ecosystem, 58.5% of the respondents agreed that wetland is unable to retain excess water due to various anthropogenic activities. On reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, 61.3% of the respondents agreed that wetlands help in reducing GHG, 34.3% disagreed with wetlands help in reducing. The study concludes that, to halt further degradations of wetland ecosystem, it is mandatory to conserve and restore wetland ecosystems through novelties in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, integrated wetland resource management, and people sensitization towards cultural practices.
Number of Pages: 15
Number of Words: 6723
First Page: 19
Last Page: 34