Niger Delta swamp forests

Last updated
Niger Delta swamp forests
Flottage du bois dans le delta du Niger.jpg
Niger Delta swamp forest
Ecoregion AT0122.png
Map of the Niger Delta swamp forests
Ecology
Realm Afrotropical
Biome Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders
Geography
Area14,500 km2 (5,600 sq mi)
Country Nigeria
Coordinates 5°10′N6°10′E / 5.167°N 6.167°E / 5.167; 6.167
Conservation
Conservation status critical/endangered

The Niger Delta swamp forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in southern Nigeria. It consists of freshwater swamp forests in the Niger Delta of the Niger River. This swamp forest is the second largest in Africa after the Congolian swamp forests. [1] [2] [3] [4] Although there are large cities just outside the ecoregion, the area has been relatively isolated by the difficulty of building roads across the swamps, although this is changing with development of oil and logging industries. Scientific surveys have only begun in recent years, and new species were being identified into the 1990s. [4] Crude oil exploration and pollution has been a threat to forests in the Niger Delta region. [5]

Contents

Location and description

The Niger Delta swamp forests ecoregion covers a triangular territory at the mouth of the Niger River. The southern edge is set back about 10 km from the Gulf of Guinea, buffered by the Central African mangroves ecoregion where the effects of salt water are more pronounced. The western border of the ecoregion is formed along the Benin River, the northern tip is just north of the city of Aboh, and the eastern edge runs along the Imo River. The city of Port Harcourt is in the southeast corner of the ecoregion. The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is located along the Gulf of Guinea. It is the largest delta in Africa and the third largest delta in the world and also the most extensive marshland in West and Central Africa. [6] The region spans from Aboh (5°33′49″ N and 6°31′38″ E) Ndokwa East, Delta State in the North to Palm Point (4°16′22″ N and 6°05′27″ E) Bayelsa State in the south. The east–west boundary lies between Benin or Ethiope River estuary (5°44′11″ N and 5°3′49″ E) Delta State in the west and Imo River estuary (4°27′16″ N and 7°35′27″ E) Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State to the east. [7]

The Niger Delta is built up from silt deposits from the Niger River. The landscape is flat with meandering branches of the main river. The Niger Delta is made up of various networks of rivers and creeks mostly distributaries of the Niger River. [8] The soils of the delta vary by the shifting rivers and creeks, with sand and loam marking the remains of old levees, water-logged heavy clay in the backswamps behind the levees, and silty loam and clay on the higher ground. [1] Niger delta can be delineated into four different ecological zones:  namely mangrove forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland rain forest and other vegetation occasioned by human impact on the environment. [9] Mangroves are intricate intertidal forest that grow at the intersection within dry land and open sea in tropical regions and is the source of huge biological and none living resources. [10] Nigeria's mangrove forest is located in the Niger delta region and is arguably the most exploited mangrove forest in the world. [11] The Niger Delta region of Nigeria has a land mass of about 70000 km² representing 7.5% of Nigeria's land mass. It is made up nine oil – producing states viz; Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. These states contain more than 40 ethnic groups and have 185 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and inhabitants that speak about 250 different dialects. [12] The Niger Delta region is amongst the highest hydrocarbon-rich regions on planet earth. Exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons started in the region in 1957 with discovery of oil at Oloibiri [13] in River State and has since been going on till date (2023).[ citation needed ]

Climate

The ecoregion has a tropical monsoon climate, according to the Köppen climate classification (Am). This climate is characterized by a distinct dry season and rather constant temperatures throughout the year, with the average temperature of each month above 18 °C (64 °F). Less than 60 mm, but more than (100-(average/25) mm, of precipitation fall during the driest month. This climate is in the middle of a tropical savannah and a tropical rainforest. [14] [15] The rainy season runs from March–April to October. Precipitation ranges from 2,500 mm/year in the north to 4,000 mm/year along the coast in the south. [1] Relative humidity is 90–100% for most of the year. [4]

Degradation is putting freshwater marsh forests in the Niger basin in danger, so it's important to comprehend their composition, distribution, and trends. In a study that evaluated the floristic diversity and composition of sixteen one-hectare forest patches, 116 species from 82 genera and 36 families were discovered. Sites that were disturbed exhibited reduced species richness but greater species variety and stem density. The study highlights the necessity for species stability and biodiversity and stresses the significance of focused conservation in damaged areas. [16]

Flora and fauna

Approximately 67% of the ecoregion is covered in closed forest, mostly broadleaf evergreen. Another 13% is open forest, 8% herbaceous wetland, 5% urban or built up, 3% under agricultural cultivation, and the remainder permanent and seasonal water. [3] The abura ( Hallea ledermannii ) tree, formerly common, has mostly been logged out of the delta. Common trees in the flood forest include Oil palm ( Elaeis guineensis ), Azobe tree ( Lophira alata ), African nutmeg ( Pycnanthus angolensis ), Ricinodendron heudelotii , Hallea ledermannii , Flatcrown tree ( Albizia adianthifolia ), Wild mango ( Irvingia gabonensis ), ( Klainedoxa gabonensis ), ( Treculia africana ), and species of ( Ficus ). [4]

The delta's three zones are the middle backswamp area, the eastern delta flank, and the flood forest. Although there is a limited diversity of faunal species in the delta, new species have been discovered recently. It is unknown which plants are native to the delta, despite the unusual floral ensemble. The development of roads and canals, the finding of petroleum, and the felling of abura, a valuable timber species, have all contributed to the habitat loss of the delta. The region is confronted with issues such as expanding human populations, political instability, conflicts, and unsustainable resource extraction. [17]

A swamp caused by establishment of Dam in the Niger-Delta region Swampy forest of Imo State.jpg
A swamp caused by establishment of Dam in the Niger-Delta region

Protected areas

While about 8% of the ecoregion is nominally under some form of administrative protection, most such territory is in forest reserves subject to heavy logging pressure due to economic growth and social development. [3] [18] Expectedly, Nigeria has several national parks and conservation areas but lately, the conservation and protected areas are in serious contracting trajectory as a result of deforestation and conversion of forest resources to non forest use. [19]

Some of the protected areas in the Niger Delta Region include:

1.1 Edumanon forest reserve

The last sighting of chimpanzee some decades ago in the Niger Delta Region was at the Edumanon Forest Reserve. [20] Edumanon forest reserve includes part of old Nembe and Brass local government areas in Bayelsa State. It has a calculated area of about 9,324 hectares. [20] The area is home to several oil and gas installations. Other activities going on in the area encompass construction, hunting, agricultural production including oil palm cultivation. The road connecting Ogbia to Nembe traverses Edumanon forest reserve. [20] Edumanon Forest Reserve is home to some important wildlife species. A survey in 2006 identified the presence of the endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee in the Edumanom Forest Reserve and Ologbo Forest Reserve in the region.

1.2 Apoi creek forest reserves

Niger Delta Region has 2 Ramsar-listed coastal and freshwater wetlands; Apoi creek forest reserve and Upper Urashi. [21] Notably, there are a total of 11 Ramsar-listed coastal and freshwater wetlands in Nigeria covering about 1,076,730 hectares. [21] Apoi Creek forest reserve was earmarked as a Ramsar site #1751 in 2008. [22] Other common features of the Niger Delta ecosystem such as marshes, mangroves and freshwater swamps are also present in Apoi creek forest reserves.[ citation needed ] Apoi Creek forest reserves covers an area of about 29,213 hectares of land. [21] or estimated to be approximately 190 km2. [23] The Apoi creek forest reserves was officially promulgated 1975. [23] Apoi creek forest reserve is of considerable ecological importance and is home to a lot of rare, unique and/or threatened species and is also a note able breeding and nursery ground for fisheries. [20] The Apoi forest reserves is a sort of a castle for some endemic species such as the Niger Delta Red Colobus monkey (Procolobus epieni), Nigerian white-throated guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster pococki [24] including other primates namely the olive colobus. [20] The presence of Niger Delta Red Colobus, Putty-nosed monkey, Red-capped mangabey have been noted in Apoi creek reserves forest particularly in the vicinity of Gbanraun, Kokologbene, Ukubie. [25] The International Union for Conservation of Nature  have classified Procolobus epieni to be 'alarmingly endangered' [26] and is currently reported to be one of the world's 25 most endangered primates. [23] Economic and social activities impact negatively on Apoi creek forest reserves resulting in the  shrinkage of the area. These activities are namely hunting, logging, installation of oil and gas exploration and exploitation facilities through canalization. [20] Apoi creek forest reserves resources is an important source of livelihood to the rural population  by provision of fuel wood, agricultural land and fisheries.[ citation needed ]

1.3 Taylor creek forest reserve

Taylor creek is situated close to the vicinity of the Bayelsa state National park reserve. It is otherwise known as Taylor creek/Bayelsa state National park reserve. [8] [20] Taylor Creek forest reserve is a lowland (<35 meters below the sea level). It is bordered  by the following communities namely Biseni, Kaiama, Kalama, Odi, Zarama, Okordia, Odoni, and Ikarama. [27] Taylor creek forest reserve covers an estimated area of about 220 km2 . It is an overwhelming seasonal swamp forest shore of the Niger River that cut across a number of communities in both Bayelsa and Rivers State. Some lakes and creeks namely Oluku lake, Esiribi lake, Oruma, Oyulo, Asa, Egbegidi, Azari, Egbe, Opuzuno, Puro, Akpidetoru, Isemu, and Abaniigina) are situated throughout the length of the drainage system of Taylor Creek. [28] Taylor Creek reserve area is susceptible to seasonal flooding because of its closeness to the River Niger. Three distinct habitat can be located in Taylor creek reserve including seasonally flooded freshwater swamp forests which are distinguished by Raphia hookeri (Raphia palm), Mitragyna ciliata (Abura), Nauclea diderrichii (Opepe), Khaya ivorensis (Mahogany), Irvingia gabonensis (African bush mango), Eleais guineensis (Oil palm), Musanga cecropoides (Umbrella tree) amidst more such as ferns, epiphytes and macrophytes; riparian forests distinguished by thick and fully grown high canopy around Karama, Adibawa and Biseni, and derived savanna forest located at Nyambiri Zarama. [27] The existence of 27 species of mammals, 34 species of reptiles and 10 species of amphibians were observed in the area. [29] Also the existence of two-spotted civet (Nandinia binotata) in the Taylor creek Forest Reserve, Bayelsa State have been observed. [30]

1.4 Nun river forest reserve

Nun river forest reserve is located in the tropical rainforest which is distinguished by multi-faceted vegetation, torrential rains and periodic or seasonal flooding. [31] The Nun river forest encloses about 97.15 km2. It is otherwise publicly known as Wilberforce Island. [31] The presence of several species of mammals, avian fauna and reptiles have been observed in the area. [31] Earlier, the Nun river forest used to be habitation for elephant (Loxondonta africana), African buffalos (Syncerus coffa) and Pygmy hippos (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) which however have not been seen in the area for over three decades. [31]

1.5 Ikibiri creek forest reserve

Ikibiri Creek forest reserve is located in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region. It is reach in forest resources which includes timber products, medicinal plants, ornamentals plants, and wildlife. Unfortunately, the reserve like other reserves in the Niger Delta region is on the shrinkage trajectory due to some social and economical, developmental and administrative reasons. [32]

1.6 Igbedi creek forest reserve

Igbedi creek forest reserve is situated in Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The reserve is popularly known and spelled as Igbedi creek forest reserve. [20] However, it is also referred to as Egbedi creek forest reserve. [33] Igbedi creek is a branch of the upper Nun River in the Niger Delta. Dredging is the common human impact or activity on the creek in the period between 2009 and 2011. Two-spotted civet (Nandinia binotata)  have been sighted at Igbedi forest reserve in Bayelsa State. [30]

Impacts of Biodiversity of Protected Area

Expectedly, the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is home to diverse species of wildlife and vegetation. The presence of 28 species of amphibians associated with the family Bufonidae (genera Bufo and Nectophryne ), Pipidae ( Silurana and Hymenochirus ), Ranidae ( Hylarana , Ptychadena , Aubria , Conraua , Hoplobatrachus , and Phrynobatrachus ), Arthroleptidae ( Arthroleptis ), Rhacophoridae ( Chiromantis ), Microhylidae ( Phrynomantis ), and Hyperoliidae ( Hyperolius , Afrixalus , Leptopelis , Phlyctimantis , and Opisthothylax ) from six localities in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria have been observed. [34] The habitance of endemic and threatened primates species consisting of endemic Sclater's guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri), Nigerian white-throated guenon (Cercopithecus erythrogaster pococki), red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus) and the endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) are prevalent in the Niger Delta Region. [35] Endemic mammals notably Heslop's pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensisheslopi) are now extinct in the Niger Delta region on account of poor administration of the protected area, lack of proper conservation and management strategies. [35]

Although Niger Delta boasts a multitude of freshwater ecosystems, the primary forest reserves within the region consist of Taylor Creek, Apoi Creek, Nun River, Edumanon, Ikibiri Creek, and Igbedi Creek. Considering the percentage of loss, it is evident that Edumanon and Nun River forest reserves have been significantly affected, resulting in a substantial reduction in their size. Ikibiri and Igbedi Creek have experienced the least amount of impact. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of significant protected areas in Niger Delta, spanning from 1987 to 2011 have been documented. [36] In comparison to several other freshwater swamps in the Niger Delta, the degree of deterioration in the protected area is relatively minimal. [37] Findings in 2014 also indicate that the deterioration of these protected areas is more pronounced when they are situated in proximity to major expressways. [37] Consequently, the reduction in size observed in Apoi Creek and Ikibiri Creek is relatively minimal, likely attributed to their remote and less accessible locations. In contrast, Nun River Forest Reserve, Edumanon (connected to Ogbia and Nembe via a major road), and Taylor Creek/Bayelsa State National Park experience more substantial shrinkage, possibly due to their proximity to significant roads such as the one leading to Niger Delta University and Bayelsa International Airport. The primary effects on the protected area are primarily deforestation and degradation. It was noted that Taylor Creek is the most affected among the protected areas in Niger Delta [37]

Challenges of Protected Area

Commonly, biodiversity entails diverse species of living organisms (viz: plants, animals, microbes) found on earth regardless of the environment (arboreal, aquatic and terrestrial). [38] Environmental degradation and deforestation have greatly affected biodiversity resources. It has been observed that pollution, hypertrophication, soil acidification, heavy metals, thermal pollution, nuclear pollution, oil and gas pollution and human pollutants are major contaminants responsible for biodiversity decline in the Niger Delta.[ citation needed ] Traditionally, Niger Delta Swamp forests avails beneficial services to the local inhabitants, national and the international community. Due to social and economic considerations as a result of quest for livelihood and subsistence there has been a great stress on the environment leading to degradation and deforestation of the swamp forest ecosystem of the Niger Delta. [39] Most common cause of environmental degradation and deforestation in the Niger Delta wetland include oil and gas exploration and exploitation, excessive logging, and bush burning. [21] Important forest products namely fuel wood, timber, medicinal plants, wildlife, food are the substantial source of forest products and services. [20] and extreme utilization leads to degradation and deforestation of the natural ecosystem of the Niger Delta region. [38] There are many consequences for enlarging rate of deforestation on the biodiversity of the Niger Delta ecosystem, [37] consequent upon the negative impact on the ecosystem, the biodiversity of the region is threatened while some others are already extinct. Additionally, diverse land use namely construction works, urbanization, industrialization and forest reserve degradation which encompasses excessive exploitation of wildlife, illegal poaching, logging and bush burning are major cause of decline of protected areas. [38] As a result of above mentioned factors, it has been observed that wildlife is freely killed and exhibited for sale within the surroundings of some of the reserves. [38] An important factor orchestrating the decline in protected areas is bush burning. Latterly, there has been an increase in the rate of bush burning.[ citation needed ] Consequent upon the immoderate degradation resulting in loss of important forest resources, reserve areas were established to conserve the habitat. [40] To this effect various species are protected by Nigerian Federal, State and Local government laws which were enacted to ensure the conservation and protection of the environment. This notwithstanding, some species are still traded openly in Nigerian markets. There are subsisting laws and legislation on conservation of natural resources in Nigeria. These laws and legislation include the national resources conservation act 1989 (established the conservation council to formulate and implement policies to address forestry, fisheries, wildlife, soil and water conservation), Federal Environmental Protection Agency Act (Chapter 131, Laws of the Federation, 1990) established to enhance conservation of natural resources through strict environmental policies, the Environmental Impact Assessment Act (No. 86 of 1992) (to ensure environmental impacts assessment on the environment before execution of project that may impact on the environment), Endangered species (control of international trade and traffic) Act 11 of 1985 (to ensure conservation of wildlife and rare and endangered species through prohibition of hunting, capture, or trading of any of the 91 animals species that are classified under endangered wildlife and listed in schedules 1 and 2) and National Parks Decree (Decree No. 36 of 1991) (ensure protective habitat for wildlife species and preserve the beauty and conservation of the natural vegetation). [40] However, despite the enactment of these laws and legislations, the exploitation of forest resources including in the protected areas is still on the increase rendering the laws and legislation ineffective in conservation of threatened forest resources. [38] It has been observed that wildlife species that are under the protection of the federal law Act 11, Schedule I (namely Atherurus africanus , Tragelaphus spekei , Hyemoschus aquaticus , Neotragus batesi , Aonyx capensis , Manis tricuspis , Uromanis tetradactyla ) and Schedule II (viz; Genetta sp., Nandinia binotata , Viverra civetta , and different Cercopithecus species) are openly traded in the markets [41]

Deforestation in the Niger Delta

Forest is defined as a land ranging more than 0.5 hectares containing trees that are higher than 5m with a dense upper layer of foliage also called canopy cover of 10%. [42] Deforestation is simply defined as prolonged reduction of tree foliage cover [43] to less than ten percent minimum threshold. [44] Deforestation in Nigeria appear in the dominant ecological zones of the Niger Delta namely the mangroves, lowland rainforest and freshwater forest.

Economic growth and social development are the cause of enlarging demand for resources causing man to adopt measures that may negatively impact the natural environment and biodiversity. Such measures include clearing the forest for infrastructure development, food production and mining. Geographical considerations such as closeness to roads and settlements, soil fertility, rainfall, mineral deposits and population are also reasons for human impact on forests. [45] Government policy is another major factor that impacts forests and may influence deforestation. [46] Causes of deforestation in the Niger delta region are diverse, multifaceted and includes; urbanization, quarrying, salt and salt extraction pollution from industries, agro–industrial chemicals, petroleum and gas exploitation, vacancy of appropriate legislation and enforcement. [47] About 80% of Nigeria's over 2000 industrial establishment are cited in the coastal regions including Lagos, Port Harcourt and other locations in the Niger delta. Industries sited in the coastal region and the Niger Delta region of Nigeria include oil and gas, petrochemical fertilizer plant, aluminum smelting plant, food, plastics, pharmaceuticals, cement, brewing and wood pulp and paper. [48] Due to the industrial establishments in the coastal and Niger delta region, large human population live and work in the Niger delta region resulting in the deforestation of the mangrove forest in the region. [49] Study by Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) in 2006 indicate that the total population of the region was over 28 million people making the Niger Delta region one of the highest population dense region in Nigeria. [50] These pipelines run through the rainforest and mangroves with occasional leakage and unintended discharges into the environment resulting in further degradation and deforestation of the ecosystem

Causes of deforestation in the Niger Delta

In the Niger Delta region, the reasons for deforestation have been mainly attributed to crude oil exploration and pollution, [51] population increase, [52] urban development, [53] and agricultural production. [54] The human desire for social, economic and cultural development may negatively impact the environmental resources. The result of this negative impact is deforestation. [55]

There has been an enlarging negative impact in forests and deforestation in the Niger Delta due to increasing population pressure on the natural environment, the desire for fertile agricultural land and the need for additional forest products and services to cater for the growing population and the need for industrial raw materials. [56] thus ensuing in the destruction of forest and land resources in the region. Land degradation involves soil erosion and fertility degeneration. This results in reduction in the usability of the land for agricultural production. [57] requiring the clearing of more forest land for agricultural production. Increase in urban areas which include buildings, roads, construction sites, industrial establishments, public utilities and other infrastructural facilities accounted for an estimated area of mangrove swamp forest of 185.7 square kilometres (71.7 sq mi) out of 3,459 square kilometres (1,336 sq mi) of the total mangrove forest studied. [58] A study of the interlink between various sectors of the economy on the rate of deforestation indicate that the  export of forest products, fuelwood consumption and agricultural production and affiliated industries directly increase deforestation in the country. [59] [60]

Oil and gas exploration and exploitation

Every facet of oil exploration and exploitation has a negative impact on the ecosystem and the local biodiversity of the environment. Seismic exploration of oil by oil companies entails clearing of seismic lines, use of dynamite in excavation which results in deforestation and degradation of the environment. [61] Installation of oil and gas pipeline is required for distribution of crude oil and gas to desired locations. About 7,000 km of pipeline have been installed in the Niger Delta region. Construction and installation of these pipelines entail clearing enormous amount of habitat to make way for the pipelines for distribution of crude oil and gas to desired locations. [62] These pipelines run through the rainforest and mangroves with occasional leakage and unintended discharges into the environment resulting in further degradation and deforestation of the ecosystem.

Oil spillage

Majority  of the occurrence of known and disclosed oil spillages happened in the mangrove swamp forest, which is arguably the most reproductive ecosystem and is rich in flora and fauna. [63] In the last 50 years, about 9 million 13 million (1.5 million metric tons) of oil have been discharged in to the Niger Delta ecosystem as a result of crude oil production and distribution. Some notable instances of oil spillage in the Niger Delta Region ecosystem include the July 1979 Forcados tank 6 Terminal in Delta State which spilled 570,000 barrels of oil into the Forcados estuary resulting in massive pollution of the aquatic environment and surrounding swamp forest. [64] Starting from January 17 to January 30, 1980, the Funiwa No. 5 Well in Funiwa Field discharged about 421,000 barrels of oil into the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the spillage, 836 acres of mangrove forest within six miles off shore was polluted and the ecosystem destroyed. [65] According to UNDP 2006:181 about 3 million barrels of oil were discharged into the Niger Delta environment through 6,817 oil spill occurrences in the period between 1976 and 2001. [66]

Gas flaring

Gas flaring has been on going in the Niger Delta for decades. According to the Energetic Solution Conference (2004), the Niger Delta region has about 123 gas flaring sites resulting in Nigeria being one of the highest emitter of green house gases in Africa. Emissions of carbon dioxide in the Niger Delta rank amongst the highest in the world. [67] About 1.8 billion cubic feet of gas is flared everyday in the Niger Delta resulting in a discharge of about 45.8 billion kilowatts of heat into the atmosphere. [68]

The temperature of the Niger Delta region has been raised as a result of gas flaring rendering vast area of the environment destroyed and uninhabitable. Out of a total of about 125.5 million cubic meters of gas produced in the region between 1970 and 1986, about 102.3 (81.7%) million cubic meters were flared. [69]

In 2004, the gas pipeline belonging to Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company that cut across through Kala-Akama, Okrika mangrove forest leaked and burnt the environment for three days. The ecosystem of the area was engulfed in fire and was completely destroyed. [70]

The heat emitted by gas flaring destroys vegetation surrounding the flaring site, destroys mangrove swamps and salt marshes, inhibits the growth and flowering of some plants, causes soil degradation, deforestation and reduces agricultural productivity. [71]

Acid rain is another cause of degradation and deforestation within the Niger Delta region resulting from gas flaring which has led to loss of biodiversity and culminating in destruction of forest and economic crops. The appearance of grasses and shrubs in some parts of the region is a confirmation of loss of natural forest due to acid rain. However, other factors such as agricultural activities and oil exploration and exploitation also cause loss of natural forest. [72]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Nigeria</span>

Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It shares land borders with the Republic of Benin to the west, Chad and Cameroon to the east, and Niger to the north. Its coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the south and it borders Lake Chad to the northeast. Notable geographical features in Nigeria include the Adamawa Plateau, Mambilla Plateau, Jos Plateau, Obudu Plateau, the Niger River, Benue River, and Niger Delta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niger Delta Basin (geology)</span>

The Niger Delta Basin, also referred to as the Niger Delta province, is an extensional rift basin located in the Niger Delta and the Gulf of Guinea on the passive continental margin near the western coast of Nigeria with suspected or proven access to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and São Tomé and Príncipe. This basin is very complex, and it carries high economic value as it contains a very productive petroleum system. The Niger delta basin is one of the largest subaerial basins in Africa. It has a subaerial area of about 75,000 km2, a total area of 300,000 km2, and a sediment fill of 500,000 km3. The sediment fill has a depth between 9–12 km. It is composed of several different geologic formations that indicate how this basin could have formed, as well as the regional and large scale tectonics of the area. The Niger Delta Basin is an extensional basin surrounded by many other basins in the area that all formed from similar processes. The Niger Delta Basin lies in the south westernmost part of a larger tectonic structure, the Benue Trough. The other side of the basin is bounded by the Cameroon Volcanic Line and the transform passive continental margin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sundarbans</span> Mangrove forest in the Bay of Bengal

Sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. Spread across parts of India and Bangladesh, this forest is the largest mangrove forest in the world. It spans the area from the Baleswar River in Bangladesh's division of Khulna to the Hooghly River in India's state of West Bengal. It comprises closed and open mangrove forests, land used for agricultural purpose, mudflats and barren land, and is intersected by multiple tidal streams and channels. Sundarbans is home to the world's largest area of mangrove forests. Four protected areas in the Sundarbans are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, viz. Sundarbans West (Bangladesh), Sundarbans South (Bangladesh), Sundarbans East (Bangladesh) and Sundarbans National Park (India).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niger Delta</span> The delta of the river Niger

The Niger Delta is the delta of the Niger River sitting directly on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. It is located within nine coastal southern Nigerian states, which include: all six states from the South South geopolitical zone, one state (Ondo) from South West geopolitical zone and two states from South East geopolitical zone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bayelsa State</span> State of Nigeria

Bayelsa state is a state in the South South region of Nigeria, located in the core of the Niger Delta. Bayelsa State was created in 1996 and was carved out from Rivers State, making it one of the newest states in the federation. The capital, Yenagoa, is susceptible to high risk of annual flooding. It shares a boundary with Rivers State to the east and Delta State to the north across the Niger River for 17 km and the Forçados River for 198 km, with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean dominating its southern borders. It has a total area of 10,773 square kilometres (4,159 sq mi). The state comprises eight local government areas: Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Brass and Southern Ijaw. The state is the smallest in Nigeria by population as of the 2006 census. Being in the Niger Delta, Bayelsa State has a riverine and estuarine setting, with bodies of water within the state preventing the development of significant road infrastructure.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cross–Niger transition forests</span>

The Cross–Niger transition forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion of southeastern Nigeria, located between the Niger River on the west and the Cross River on the east. Once a rich mixture of tropical forest and savanna woodland covered these low, rolling hills but today, this is one of the most densely populated areas of Africa and today most of the forest has been removed and the area is now grassland.

The Lower Guinean forests also known as the Lower Guinean-Congolian forests, are a region of coastal tropical moist broadleaf forest in West Africa, extending along the eastern coast of the Gulf of Guinea from eastern Benin through Nigeria and Cameroon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freshwater swamp forest</span> Forest growing on an alluvial zone

Freshwater swamp forests, or flooded forests, are forests which are inundated with freshwater, either permanently or seasonally. They normally occur along the lower reaches of rivers and around freshwater lakes. Freshwater swamp forests are found in a range of climate zones, from boreal through temperate and subtropical to tropical.

Environmental issues in the Niger Delta are caused by its petroleum industry. The delta covers 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi) within wetlands of 70,000 km2 (27,000 sq mi) formed primarily by sediment deposition. Home to 20 million people and 40 different ethnic groups, this floodplain makes up 7.5% of Nigeria's total land mass. It is the largest wetland and maintains the third-largest drainage basin in Africa. The Delta's environment can be broken down into four ecological zones: coastal barrier islands, mangrove swamp forests, freshwater swamps, and lowland rainforests. Fishing and farming are the main sources of livelihoods for majority of her residents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Environmental issues in Africa</span>

African environmental problems are problems caused by the direct and indirect human impacts on the natural environment and affect humans and nearly all forms of life in Africa. Issues include deforestation, soil degradation, air pollution, water pollution, coastal erosion, garbage pollution, climate change, Oil spills, Biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. These issues result in environmental conflict and are connected to broader social struggles for democracy and sovereignty. The scarcity of climate adaptation techniques in Africa makes it the least resilient continent to climate change.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildlife of Nigeria</span>

The wildlife of Nigeria consists of the flora and fauna of this country in West Africa. Nigeria has a wide variety of habitats, ranging from mangrove swamps and tropical rainforest to savanna with scattered clumps of trees. About 290 mammal species and 940 bird species have been recorded in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deforestation in Nigeria</span>

The extensive and rapid clearing of forests (deforestation) within the borders of Nigeria has significant impacts on both local and global scales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oba Hills Forest Reserve</span> Natural reserve in Nigeria

Oba Hills National Park is a forest reserve and national park in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. A small enclave surrounded by three hills with a wide valley running in between, it covers about 52 square kilometres of hilly terrain with deep gorges. It has a large teak plantation on its western side, covering about 12% of its total area. Beyond the hills; only coppices are left on the over-exploited plantation.

Akure Forest Reserve is a protected area in southwest Nigeria, covering 66 km2 (25 sq mi). The Akure Forest Reserve, established in 1948 and spanning approximately 32 hectares. It was created with the primary aim of safeguarding the genetic diversity of the forest ecosystem. About 11.73% (8.2 km2) is estimated to be cleared for cocoa farming and other food crops. Aponmu and Owena Yoruba speaking communities owned the forest, though, there are also minor settlements surrounding the forest. They include Ipogun, Kajola/ Aponmu, Kajola, Ago Petesi, Akika Camp, Owena Town, Ibutitan/Ilaro Camp, Elemo Igbara Oke Camp and Owena Water new Dam.

The Okomu National Park, formerly the Okomu Wildlife Sanctuary, has been identified as one of the largest remaining natural rainforest ecosystem. Due to the high biodiversity seen in the Okomu National Park, a Wildlife Sanctuary was first established there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edumanom Forest Reserve</span> Forest reserve in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

The roots of Edumanom Forest Reserve trace back to 1970 when it was singled out as one of the proposed Forest Reserves by the Rivers State Government, a compilation encompassing 11 distinct regions. At that time, the Governor of Rivers State, acting under the authority vested by Section 28 of the Land Use Act, rescinded all prevailing Rights of Occupancy associated with the land enveloping Edumanom Forest Reserve. Subsequently, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, sanctioned by Section 8 of the Forestry Law Cap 55 of the Laws of Eastern Nigeria, 1963, officially labeled the region as a forest reserve. The forest reserve derives its name from the Edumanom family in Otuabagi, the entity possessing the largest segment of the reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niger Delta mangroves</span> Mangrove forest within a deltaic depositional environment

Nigeria has extensive mangrove forests in the coastal region of the Niger Delta. Considered one of the most ecologically sensitive regions in the world, the Niger Delta mangrove forest is situated within a deltaic depositional environment. These mangrove forests serve a critical role in regional ecological and landscape composition, and support subsistence gathering practices, and market-based income opportunities. Anthropogenic development threatens the survival of Niger Delta mangrove populations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South South</span> Geopolitical zone in Nigeria

The South South is one of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. It designates both a geographic and political region of the country's eastern coast. It comprises six states – Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigerian lowland forests</span> Ecoregion in Nigeria and Benin

The biogeographic regionalization of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity, known as Terrestrial Ecoregions of the World (TEOW), is made up of 867 ecoregions that are divided into 14 biomes. In addition to offering a comprehensive map of terrestrial biodiversity, TEOW also provides a global species database for ecological analyses and priority setting, a logical biogeographic framework for large-scale conservation strategies, a map for enhancing biogeographic literacy, and a foundation for the Global 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reforestation in Nigeria</span>

Reforestation in Nigeria employs both natural and artificial methods. Reforestation involves the deliberate planting of trees and restoring forested areas that have been depleted or destroyed. It involves a planned restocking of the forest to ensure sustainable supply of timber and other forest products. Reforestation, in essence, involves replenishing forests to guarantee a consistent and sustainable supply of timber and various other forest resources. This objective can be accomplished through either natural regeneration techniques or artificial regeneration methods. Both of these approaches have been utilized in the reforestation efforts within Nigeria's forests. At the initiation of the reforestation program in Nigeria, the natural regeneration approach was chosen for two primary reasons. Firstly, it aimed to preserve the rainforest in its original state by allowing it to regenerate naturally from the existing seed bank in the soil. Secondly, and of significant importance, this method was selected due to budgetary constraints, as there were insufficient funds available to establish plantations through direct means.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Niger Delta swamp forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
  2. "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "Niger Delta swamp forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Niger Delta swamp forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  5. Onyena, Amarachi Paschaline; Sam, Kabari (2020). "A review of the threat of oil exploitation to mangrove ecosystem: Insights from Niger Delta, Nigeria". Global Ecology and Conservation. 22: e00961. doi: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00961 . S2CID   213767200.
  6. Akegbejo-Samsons, Y., & Omoniyi, I. T. (2009). Management challenges of mangrove forests in Africa: A critical appraisal of the coastal mangrove ecosystem of Nigeria. Nature and Faune, 24, 50–55.
  7. NDDC. (2005). Niger Delta regional development master plan. Port Harcourt: Author. Niger Delta Environmental Survey (NDES). (1997). Environmental and socio-economic characteristics. Port Harcourt: NDDC.
  8. 1 2 Ayanlade, Ayansina; Drake, Nicolas (2016). "Forest loss in different ecological zones of the Niger Delta, Nigeria: Evidence from remote sensing". GeoJournal. 81 (5): 717–735. doi:10.1007/s10708-015-9658-y. S2CID   254498850.
  9. Udo, R. K. (1978). A comprehensive geography of West Africa (pp. 226–247). Ibadan: Heinemann Educational Books
  10. Adams, W. M. (1993). Indigenous use of wetlands and sustainable development in West Africa. Geogr J. 159(2):209 – 218
  11. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2007. The worlds Mangroves 1980 – 2005. FAO  Forestry paper 153  FAO, Rome
  12. Maduka, Omosivie; Tobin-West, Charles (2017). "Is living in a gas-flaring host community associated with being hypertensive? Evidence from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria". BMJ Global Health. 2 (4): e000413. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000413. PMC   5717961 . PMID   29225950.
  13. Onuoha, F.C. (2008). Oil Pipeline Sabotage in Nigeria: Dimensions, Actors and Implications for National Security L/C. African Security Review, 17(3)
  14. Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  15. "Dataset – Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  16. DeFries, Ruth S.; Rudel, Thomas; Uriarte, Maria; Hansen, Matthew (March 2010). "Deforestation driven by urban population growth and agricultural trade in the twenty-first century". Nature Geoscience. 3 (3): 178–181. Bibcode:2010NatGe...3..178D. doi:10.1038/ngeo756. ISSN   1752-0908.
  17. Igu, Nwabueze I.; Marchant, Rob (2017-01-02). "Freshwater swamp forest use in the Niger Delta: perception and insights". Journal of Forest Research. 22 (1): 44–52. Bibcode:2017JFR....22...44I. doi:10.1080/13416979.2017.1280887. ISSN   1341-6979. S2CID   34410560.
  18. Enaruvbe, Glory O.; Atafo, Ozien P. (2016). "Analysis of deforestation pattern in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria". Journal of Land Use Science. 11 (1): 113–130. Bibcode:2016JLUS...11..113E. doi:10.1080/1747423X.2014.965279. S2CID   128428525.
  19. Ayanlade A. Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King’s College London, London: University of London; 2014
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Erefitei A., 2016, Bayelsa State Forest Management http://www.bodmasnewsblog.com/2016/05/bayelsa-state-forest-management.html
  21. 1 2 3 4 Ayanlade, Ayansina; Proske, Ulrike (2016). "Assessing wetland degradation and loss of ecosystem services in the Niger Delta, Nigeria". Marine and Freshwater Research. 67 (6): 828. doi:10.1071/MF15066.
  22. Ayanlade A., 2014, Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London, University of London 2014; Erefitei A., 2016, Bayelsa State Forest Management http://www.bodmasnewsblog.com/2016/05/bayelsa-state-forest-management.html
  23. 1 2 3 Wildlife conservation society, 2012, Saving the Niger Delta red colobus monkey from extinction: enlisting the support of local communities to help protect Apoi creek forest reserve, Stakeholder Workshop Report, Yenagoa, Nigeria
  24. Wildlife conservation society, 2012, Saving the Niger Delta red colobus monkey from extinction: enlisting the support of local communities to help protect Apoi creek forest reserve, Stakeholder Workshop Report, Yenagoa, Nigeria; Ayanlade A., 2014, Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London, University of London
  25. Ikemeh R.A., 2015, Assessing the Population Status of the Critically Endangered Niger Delta Red Colobus (Piliocolobus epieni), Primate Conservation, (29):87–96
  26. Oates J.F., and Were J.L., 2008, Niger Delta Red Colobus Monkey Procolobus epieni Grubb and Powell, 1999 Niger Delta, Nigeria
  27. 1 2 Akani G.C., Aifesehi P.E.E., Petrozzi F., Amadi N., and Luiselli L., 2014, Diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in Taylor creek forest reserve, an area of high environmental value in the River Niger Delta (Bayelsa State, Nigeria), Vie et milieu-Life and environment, 64: 59–68
  28. Akani G.C., Aifesehi P.E.E., Petrozzi F., Amadi N., and Luiselli L., 2014, Diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in Taylor creek forest reserve, an area of high environmental value in the River Niger Delta (Bayelsa State, Nigeria), Vie et milieu-Life and environment, 64: 59–68).
  29. Akani G.C., Aifesehi P.E.E., Petrozzi F., Amadi N., and Luiselli L., 2014, Diversity of terrestrial vertebrates in Taylor creek forest reserve, an area of high environmental value in the River Niger Delta (Bayelsa State, Nigeria), Vie et milieu-Life and environment, 64: 59–68)
  30. 1 2 Amadi N., Akani G.C., Micheloni P., Eniang E.A., Luiselli L., and Petrozzi F., 2016, Distribution, habitat ecology and conservation status of the Two-spotted Palm Civet Nandinia binotata (Carnivora, Nandiniidae) in south-eastern Nigeria, Small Carnivore Conservation, 52 and 53: 24–38
  31. 1 2 3 4 Hamadina, Mohammed K.; Otobotekere, Dimie; Anyanwu, Donald I. (2007). "Impact assessment and biodiversity considerations in Nigeria". Management of Environmental Quality. 18 (2): 179–197. doi:10.1108/14777830710725849.
  32. Ayanlade A., 2014, Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London, University of London)
  33. Ayanlade A., 2014, Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London, University of London; Amadi N., Akani G.C., Micheloni P., Eniang E.A., Luiselli L., and Petrozzi F., 2016, Distribution, habitat ecology and conservation status of the Two-spotted Palm Civet Nandinia binotata (Carnivora, Nandiniidae) in south-eastern Nigeria, Small Carnivore Conservation, 52 and 53: 24–38
  34. Luiselli, Luca; Politano, Edoardo; Akani, Godfrey (2004). "Amphibians recorded in forest swamp areas of the River Niger Delta (Southeastern Nigeria), and the effects of habitat alteration from oil industry development on species richness and diversity". Applied Herpetology. 2: 1–22. doi:10.1163/1570754041231604.
  35. 1 2 Ikemeh R.A., 2015, Assessing the Population Status of the Critically Endangered Niger Delta Red Colobus (Piliocolobus epieni), Primate Conservation, (29):87–96)
  36. Ayanlade A., 2014, Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London, University of London); Ayanlade, Ayansina; Drake, Nicolas (2016). "Forest loss in different ecological zones of the Niger Delta, Nigeria: Evidence from remote sensing". GeoJournal. 81 (5): 717–735. doi:10.1007/s10708-015-9658-y. S2CID   254498850.
  37. 1 2 3 4 Ayanlade A., 2014, Remote Sensing of Environmental Change in the Niger Delta, Nigeria, PhD thesis submitted to Department of Geography, School of Social Sciences and Public Policy, King's College London, University of London
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 Izah S.C, Aigberua A.O., and Nduka J.O., 2018a, Factors affecting the population trend of biodiversity in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, International Journal of Avian and Wildlife Biology, 3(3):206‒214
  39. Izah S.C, Aigberua A.O., and Nduka J.O., 2018a, Factors affecting the population trend of biodiversity in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, International Journal of Avian and Wildlife Biology, 3(3):206‒214)
  40. 1 2 Abere S.A., and Ezenwaka J., 2011, Evaluation of forest resources conservation laws in Nigeria, Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 2(5): 49–54
  41. Akani, Godfrey C.; Amadi, Nioking; Eniang, Edem A.; Luiselli, Luca; Petrozzi, Fabio (2015). "Are mammal communities occurring at a regional scale reliably represented in "hub" bushmeat markets? A case study with Bayelsa State (Niger Delta, Nigeria)". Folia Zoologica. 64: 79–86. doi:10.25225/fozo.v64.i1.a9.2015. S2CID   90157649.
  42. FAO, (2006), Global Forest Resources Assessment 2005: Progress towards Sustainable Forest Management, Rome, Italy.
  43. Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRDMP). Nigeria. Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC). 2006.
  44. FAO, 2001, Global Forest Resources Assessment 2000, Rome, Italy).
  45. Schwertl, Michael; Auerswald, Karl; Schäufele, Rudi; Schnyder, Hans (2005). "Carbon and nitrogen stable isotope composition of cattle hair: Ecological fingerprints of production systems?". Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 109 (1–2): 153–165. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2005.01.015.
  46. Angelsen, A.; Kaimowitz, D. (1999). "Rethinking the Causes of Deforestation: Lessons from Economic Models". The World Bank Research Observer. 14 (1): 73–98. doi:10.1093/wbro/14.1.73. PMID   12322119.
  47. Ajonina, Patience U.; Ajonina, Gordon N.; Jin, Emmanuel; Mekongo, Fidèle; Ayissi, Isidore; Usongo, Leonard (2005). "Gender roles and economics of exploitation, processing and marketing of bivalves and impacts on forest resources in the Sanaga Delta region of Douala-Edea Wildlife Reserve, Cameroon". International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology. 12 (2): 161–172. doi:10.1080/13504500509469627. S2CID   153690659.
  48. FEPA 1997. Coastal Profile of Nigeria. Federal Environmental Protection Agency Large marine Ecosystem Project for the Gulf of Guinea. 87pp
  49. Uzoma Darlington Chima, Solomon Lagbenga Larinde (March, 2016). Deforestation and degradation of mangroves in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria). Conference paper
  50. Barbour, K. M; Oguntoyinbo J.S., Onyemelukwe, J. O. C., Nwafor J. C. (1982). Nigeria in maps. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
  51. Moffat, D., & Linden, O. (1995). Perception and Reality: Assessing Priorities for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta. Ambio, 24, 7–8.; James, G. K. (2008). Assessment of Environmental Change and Its Socio-Economic Impacts in the Mangrove Ecological Zone of the Niger Delta, Nigeria. PhD Thesis, Kansas City: University of Missouri-Kansas City; Onojeghuo, Alex O.; Blackburn, G. Alan (2011). "Forest transition in an ecologically important region: Patterns and causes for landscape dynamics in the Niger Delta". Ecological Indicators. 11 (5): 1437–1446. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.03.017.
  52. Mmom, P. C., & Mbee, M. D. (2013). Population Pressure and Forest Resources Depletion in Gele-Gele Forest Reserve of Edo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Physical and Human Geography, 1, 31–42.
  53. Enaruvbe, G. O., & Atafo, O. P. (2014). Analysis of Deforestation Pattern in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Land Use Science, 11, 113–130.; Kuenzer, Claudia; Van Beijma, Sybrand; Gessner, Ursula; Dech, Stefan (2014). "Land surface dynamics and environmental challenges of the Niger Delta, Africa: Remote sensing-based analyses spanning three decades (1986–2013)". Applied Geography. 53: 354–368. doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2014.07.002.
  54. Enaruvbe, G. O., & Atafo, O. P. (2014). Analysis of Deforestation Pattern in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Journal of Land Use Science, 11, 113–130.
  55. Phillips, O. L. (1997). "The changing ecology of tropical forests". Biodiversity and Conservation. 6 (2): 291–311. doi:10.1023/A:1018352405482. S2CID   24536054.
  56. Enaruvbe, Glory O.; Ige-Olumide, Olusola (2015). "Geospatial analysis of land-use change processes in a densely populated coastal city: The case of Port Harcourt, south-east Nigeria". Geocarto International. 30 (4): 441–456. Bibcode:2015GeoIn..30..441E. doi:10.1080/10106049.2014.883435. S2CID   128573727.
  57. Lambin, Eric F. (1997). "Modelling and monitoring land-cover change processes in tropical regions". Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment. 21 (3): 375–393. Bibcode:1997PrPG...21..375L. doi:10.1177/030913339702100303. S2CID   128012656.
  58. Wang P, Numbere AO, Camilo GR (2016) Long term changes in mangrove landscape of the Niger River Delta, Nigeria. Amer J of Environ Sci 12:248–259.
  59. Yiridoe, E. K., & Nanang, D. M. (2001, August 5–8). An econometric analysis of the causes of tropical deforestation: Ghana. American Agricultural Economics Association Conference, Chicago, IL.  [Google Scholar]
  60. Fabiyi, O. O. (2011). Change actors’ analysis and vegetation loss from remote sensing data in parts of the Niger Delta region. Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, 3, 381–391.  [Google Scholar]
  61. Kadafa, A. A. (2012). Environmental impacts of oil exploration and exploitation in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. Global Journal of Science Frontier Research Environment & Earth Sciences, 12(3), 19–28.
  62. Onuoha, F.C. (2008). Oil Pipeline Sabotage in Nigeria: Dimensions, Actors and Implications for National Security L/C. African Security Review, 17(3)
  63. Nenibarini, Z. (2004). Impacts of Extractive Industries on the Biodiversity of the Niger Delta. National Workshop on Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Management, 2004).
  64. Ukoli, M.K. (2005). Environmental Factors in the Management of the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria. www.cenbank.org ; Tolulope, A.O. (2004). Oil Exploration and Environmental Degradation: the Nigerian Experience. International Information Archives, 2: 387–393, International Society for Environmental Information Science
  65. Ukoli, M.K. (2005). Environmental Factors in the Management of the Oil and Gas Industry in Nigeria. www.cenbank.org ; Tolulope, A.O. (2004). Oil Exploration and Environmental Degradation: the Nigerian Experience. International Information Archives, 2: 387–393, International Society for Environmental Information Science ; Gabriel, A.O. (2004). Women in the Niger Delta: Environmental Issues and Challenges in the Third Millennium. www.jsd_africa.com
  66. United Nations Development Programme, (2006:185,186). Niger Delta Human Development Report. Abuja, Nigeria.
  67. Iyayi, F. (2004). An integrated approach to development in the Niger Delta. A paper prepared for the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD).
  68. Agbola, T. and Olurin, T. A. (2003) Landuse and Landcover Change in the Niger Delta. Excerpts from a Research Report presented to the Centre for Democracy and Development, July, 2003
  69. Awosika, L. F. (1995). Impacts of global climate change and sea level rise on coastal resources and energy development in Nigeria. In: Umolu, J. C. (ed). Global Climate Change: Impact on Energy Development. DAMTECH Nigeria Limited, Nigeria).
  70. Nenibarini, Z. (2004). Impacts of Extractive Industries on the Biodiversity of the Niger Delta. National Workshop on Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Management. 2004).
  71. United Nations Development Programme, (2006:185,186). Niger Delta Human Development Report. Abuja, Nigeria; Mba, C.H. (2000). Environmental Protection and National Development: Towards Optimal Resolution of Conflicting Measures and Strategies. in: Aja Akpuru-Aja and Emeribe Augustine C., Policy and Contending Issues in Nigerian National Development Strategy. John Jacob’s Publishers, Ltd, Enugu, Nigeria.
  72. Uyigue, E. and Agho, M. (2007). Coping with Climate Change and Environmental Degradation in the Niger Delta of Southern Nigeria. Community Research and Development Centre Nigeria (CREDC); Opukri, O.C.O. and Ibaba I.S. (2008). Oil Induced Environmental Degradation and Internal Population Displacement in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 10(1