A GIS Analysis of Noise Islands in Calabar Metropolis, Nigeria

This study examined noise islands in Calabar Metropolis, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) infrastructure. Physical measurement of noise levels was made using Barn and Korn (BK) Precision 732 Digital Sound Level Meters. The locations were geo-referenced using a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx Global Positioning System. Data were manipulated using ESRI ArcGis Software version 9.5, which generated composite noise maps. The point data in the geospatial database were subjected to interpolation, deploying Inverse Distance Weighing (IDW) algorithm for the different temporal periods of morning, afternoon and evening. The results revealed that noise level in the industrial, commercial as well as the transportation land use elements have been found to increase from the morning period, hits the peak in the afternoon and begins to wane in the evening period. Unlike the residential zones, which showed low, as well as moderately high noise level on certain days of the week due to some incompatible activities located there. It was therefore recommended that those activities that generate high noise in the industrial and commercial zones should be discouraged from springing up in the residential landuses in order to maintain their tranquil status. Besides, the source, path, and receiver techniques of noise attenuation have also been recommended as a general antidote to noise menace in the metropolis. Keywords: Noise Level, Noise Maps, Noise Islands, Spatial Distribution, Temporal Distribution, GIS, Inverse Distance Weighin

Towards Conserving Nigeria’s Environment through Environmental Management Education

Environmental conservation involves the wise use of resources and their preservation from reckless exploitation and wanton destruction. In contemporary Nigeria however, the ideals of conservation have failed to be properly integrated into the National development agenda. Widespread ignorance and low levels environmental awareness have been identified as prominent factors responsible for this despicable state of affairs. Since education remains the cure for ignorance, this paper therefore, aims at emphasizing the urgent imperative for the incorporation of environmental management education as a major component of an integrative framework for the conservation of Nigeria’s environment. The paper contends that effective environmental conservation may never be attained unless and until requisite skills are developed and sufficient awareness created nationally and locally through a robust programme of environmental management education. The paper recommends the adoption of environmental management education as an important component of our effort to ensure effective conservation and national development. Specifically, environmental management education should be introduced as a subject in the primary and secondary schools, while universities and other tertiary institutions should offer it as a general course and make efforts to establish Environmental Management Department in the Faculty of Environmental Studies as approved by the National Universities Commission. Key words: Environmental Management, Education, Conservation, Resources, Awareness

The use of focus group discussion methodology: Insights from two decades of application in conservation

This is the final version of the article. Available from Wiley via the DOI in this recordFocus group discussion is frequently used as a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of social issues. The method aims to obtain data from a purposely selected group of individuals rather than from a statistically representative sample of a broader population. Even though the application of this method in conservation research has been extensive, there are no critical assessment of the application of the technique. In addition, there are no readily available guidelines for conservation researchers. Here, we reviewed the applications of focus group discussion within biodiversity and conservation research between 1996 and April 2017. We begin with a brief explanation of the technique for first-time users. We then discuss in detail the empirical applications of this technique in conservation based on a structured literature review (using Scopus). The screening process resulted in 170 articles, the majority of which (67%, n = 114,) were published between 2011 and 2017. Rarely was the method used as a stand-alone technique. The number of participants per focus group (where reported) ranged from 3 to 21 participants with a median of 10 participants. There were seven (median) focus group meetings per study. Focus group discussion sessions lasted for 90 (median) minutes. Four main themes emerged from the review: understanding of people's perspectives regarding conservation (32%), followed by the assessment of conservation and livelihoods practices (21%), examination of challenges and impacts of resource management interventions (19%) and documenting the value of indigenous knowledge systems (16%). Most of the studies were in Africa (n = 76), followed by Asia (n = 44), and Europe (n = 30). We noted serious gaps in the reporting of the methodological details in the reviewed papers. More than half of the studies (n = 101) did not report the sample size and group size (n = 93), whereas 54 studies did not mention the number of focus group discussion sessions while reporting results. Rarely have the studies provided any information on the rationale for choosing the technique. We have provided guidelines to improve the standard of reporting and future application of the technique for conservation.N.T.O. was funded by Cambridge Overseas Trusts, The Wildlife Conservation Society, Wildlife Conservation Network and WildiZe Foundation. NM was funded by the NERC grant (NE/R006946/1), Fondation Wiener Anspach and the Scriven post doctoral fellowships. K.W. was sup-ported by the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CE11001000104) and Future Fellowship (FT100100413) programs and funded by the Australian Government

Logging Effects on Non-Timber Forest Products (NFTPs) Availability in Etung Rainforest Ecosystem, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract The effects of logging activities on the availability of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), which includes special, non-wood, minor, alternative and secondary forest products was assessed. The NTFPs are useful substances, materials and/or commodities obtained from forests which do not require harvesting (logging) trees. They include game animals, fur-bearers, nuts, seeds, berries, mushrooms, oils, foliage, medicinal plants, peat, fuel wood, and forage on which the rural forest communities in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria depend was examined. The study relied on primary data through direct field measurements. Forty-two plots of 50mx100m were laid in the logged and unlogged sites of the forest -twenty-one either way. This was achieved through stratified random sampling. Thirty-one (31) NTFPs were identified and enumerated and the results were compared with the unlogged areas which served as controlled plots. The students''t' test was used to test for significant difference. A mean of 1.37 in the quantity of NTFPs in the unlogged sites and 1.98 in the logged sites were revealed. This implied that reduction in the quantity of NTFP as occasioned by logging would undermine the quality of rural life as the people's livelihood is intimately connected to the forest; hence nationalization of the remaining forest is therefore recommended

Agroforestry systems for mitigating the problems of fuelwood scarcity int he Montane/Savanna ecosystems: A case study of Obudu Cattle Ranch, South-Eastern Nigeria

The study highlights the need for an agroforestry system that will reduce the problem of fuelwood scarcity in the Obudu Cattle Ranch settlement of Cross River State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodology, general information on Local crop types, fuelwood species known to the people, their reasons for the preference of particular fuelwood species, the quantity extracted and who does the harvesting was collected. Qualitative and descriptive statistics such as matrix ranking techniques, simple proportions/percentages and tables were employed in the data analysis. Results show that integration of woody species with annual crops in agroforestry systems can enhance sustainability of production systems in the montane and savanna ecosystem under low input conditions. Agroforestry has short and long-term protective and socio-economic benefit and would go a long way in checking the problems of erosion, flooding, adverse change in ecology, decline in soil productivity, loss of useful species of organisms (plants and wildlife) and the gradual deterioration of the entire forest lands (deforestation). Stable indigenous and prototype agroforestry systems suitable for the regions are available. However, they need wider testing and use. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 53-6

Cross River Estuary: Changing trends and resource utilization patterns

No Abstract. Global Journal of Environmental Science Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 79-8