Population, deforestation and biodiversity erosion in the context of rural agricultural expansion in South Eastern Nigeria

This study attempts to model the relationship between macro demographic factors at the aggregate village level data and the various indices of deforestation arising from rural agricultural expansion. In a multiple regression analysis of five (5) macro demographic (Causative) variables modelled against eleven (11) indices of deforestation (explanatory variables); the demographic factors critical to explaining variations in the various indices of deforestation were delineated. The population size of settlements, farm space density, and the size of households were identified to influence to various degrees, variations in deforestation indictors. The magnitudes of these effects were however, low, evident by low elasticities between population and deforestation variables. African Journal of Educational Studies in Mathematics and Sciences Vol. 2(2) 2004: 91-10

Effects of logging on stand damage in the rainforest of South-eastern Nigeria

Study was carried out in the tropical high forest of Iwuru community in south-eastern Nigeria to examine the extent of stand damage to unlogged trees at different logging intensities. Twenty four plots of 1 ha each were laid and were classified as lightly logged, moderately logged, severely logged and unlogged (control). Each category had six plots. Data on level of tree damage was taken and calibrated into various classes as “good”, “minimal”, “moderate”, and “severe” damage. Means, analysis of variance and the post hoc test were the statistical models employed to analyzedata. A positive correlation was observed between logging intensities and damage level to stands of non-logged trees with the number of trees destroyed increasing with logging intensity. Data on stocking indicated that the unlogged plot had a statistical mean of 41.5833 and a sum of 38.8%, which was the highest. The lowest statistical mean of 12.2083and the sum of 11.4% were for severely logged plots, indicating that the population of unlogged trees diminished with increasing logging intensity. Also, the large F value (11.971) and the low P value (0.000) indicated that logging intensity had significant contribution to the extent of damage to unlogged trees in the various sample plots. The post hoc test gave a value of 0.839, which is positively significant, indicating a significant, contribution of logging intensities to the damage done to unlogged trees

Using Human Disease Outbreaks as a Guide to Multilevel Ecosystem Interventions

Human health often depends on environmental variables and is generally subject to widespread and comprehensive surveillance. Compared with other available measures of ecosystem health, human disease incidence may be one of the most useful and practical bioindicators for the often elusive gauge of ecologic well-being. We argue that many subtle ecosystem disruptions are often identified only as a result of detailed epidemiologic investigations after an anomalous increase in human disease incidence detected by routine surveillance mechanisms. Incidence rates for vector-mediated diseases (e.g., arboviral illnesses) and direct zoonoses (e.g., hantaviruses) are particularly appropriate as bioindicators to identify underlying ecosystem disturbances. Outbreak data not only have the potential to act as a pivotal warning system for ecosystem disruption, but may also be used to identify interventions for the preservation of ecologic health. With this approach, appropriate ecologically based strategies for remediation can be introduced at an earlier stage than would be possible based solely on environmental monitoring, thereby reducing the level of “ecosystem distress” as well as resultant disease burden in humans. This concept is discussed using local, regional, and global examples, thereby introducing the concept of multilevel ecosystem interventions

Deforestation motivators by small farmers in common and protected lands in South Eastern Nigeria: a factor analytic approach

Study explores through a multivariate analysis the human ecological variables driving deforestation by small farmers in South-eastern Nigeria. Applying frequency scores and factor analytic techniques to data generated from twelve sampled communities in the rainforest of South-eastern Nigeria, through questionnaire and exploratory participatory research methods, it delineates the most significant factors in the decision field of the farmer motivating deforestation. Social psychological factors and preference for virgin forest soils appear to be the most critical of the factors. Strategies to combat deforestation by small farmers may only ignore to their peril these driving forces rooted in the farmer's objective and subjective realities. Mathematics Connection Vol. 3 2003: 1-2

Participatory land use planning for community based forest management in South-Eastern Nigeria

No Abstract. Lwati: A Journal of Contemporary Research Vol. 4 () 2007: pp.329-34

Diversity And Sustainability Of Small – Scale Farming In Cross River State: A Case Of Edim Otop Community – Calabar Urban

The paper examines the diversity and sustainability attributes of crops grown by small – scale farmers in Calabar Urban of Cross River State. It has as its objectives, the identification of the structure of agricultural system in Calabar- Urban, the determination of the types and diversity of crops grown by the farmers, the extent of cultivation, as well as the social and cultural background of the growers in the study area. Also the socio-economic importance of the mostly cultivated crops and the spatial context of the growers were determined. A suite of methodologies of data collection and analysis were employed to achieve the various objectives, thus Participatory Appraisal (PA) techniques such as Semi-structured Interviews (SSI) involving checklist and seasonality calendars were adopted. Also maps and ortho-photographs were used to determine the spatial attributes and historical shifts in agricultural enterprise. Focus was only on selected farmers of both sexes that were purposively selected to represent other farmers in the study area. Other descriptive statistics and computations were also employed as appropriate to give insight to the data obtained from field. Results show home/market gardening predominating the study area. Vegetable crops are largely cultivated here and they provide immediate consumption and income needs to the people thereby contributing to the sustainability of small-scale farming in the city. An emerging spatial concentration of agricultural operations was observed in the eastern flank due to developmental activities in the western flank. The analyses suggest that socio-cultural/economic considerations are critical in assessing the diversity of crops grown. Keywords: Diversity, Sustainability, Small-scale farmers, Calabar – UrbanGlobal Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 9-1

Perspectives in Domestic Waste Management in Nigerian Cities With Emphasis on Calabar, Nigeria

The objective was to discuss the challenges and effectiveness of solid waste management in Nigeria, especially within the coastal city of Calabar. A chronology of waste management efforts within the traditional and modern city development trends of Calabar was provided. We critically examined the effectiveness of the contemporary waste management options adopted by successive governments and management agencies. The adoption of integrated waste management and environmental education should be key considerations for sustainable management of waste.Keywords: Domestic waste, management, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeri

Development Options as Strategies for Conflict Reduction in Protected Areas: An assessment of People’s Preferences in the Cross River National Park, Nigeria

This paper explores development options as effective strategies for conflict reduction in the Cross River National Park, Nigeria. It also discusses the tensions that result from the different development and conservation priorities that confront such humaninhabited protected areas as the Cross River National Park. The success level of the various conservation initiatives is examined from the communities’ perspectives in the preferred conservation and development options The paper using the Questionnaire and the Participatory methodologies, sought to examine the various strategies that have been employed in the Cross River National Park to enhance sustainable development.A total of two hundred and eighty-one (281) questionnaires were randomly distributed to respondents within eight selected study communities. The five focus groups earmarked for appraisal included the community leaders, hunters, farmers, Non-Timber Forested Products (NTFP) gatherers, and loggers. The findings revealed the preferred development options to include skills acquisitions, establishment of small agro-allied industries, and indigenous participation in the administration and operation of the park management