Tropical Forest Landscape Change and the Role of Agroforestry Systems in Southern Nigeria | Chapter 01 | Current Perspectives to Environment and Climate Change Vol. 3
The paper analyzes tropical forest
landscape change and deforestation trends in Nigeria. Emphasis’ are on the
issues, the environmental analysis of the trends, factors influencing it, and
community agroforestry efforts. The time frame and setting for the study runs
through the West African nation of Nigeria during the periods of 1976 through
2005 at the national and state levels. In fact, Nigeria was once covered by
widespread vegetation comprising of humid tropical forests in the south and
savannah grasslands in the north rich in biodiversity. A great percentage of
this luxurious vegetation has been cleared by the pressures mounted by human
activities with eventual degradation. In terms of methods, the paper uses
mixscale approach based on descriptive statistics, temporal spatial analysis
and mapping, and photographic images to analyze the trends associated with
tropical deforestation. The results show visible changes in the form of large
scale decline of Nigeria’s forest landscape over the years. This resulted in
the disappearance of forest resources and vegetation cover with mounting threats
to sensitive natural areas. Aside from the socio-economic elements linked with
the problem, community efforts at the margin using agroforestry systems showed
some promise with many benefits to stem the tide of deforestation. To remedy
the problems, the paper offered some recommendations ranging from policy
overhaul to education.
Author(s) Details
Edmund C. Merem
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS, 39201, USA.
Yaw A. Twumasi
Department of Urban Forestry
and Natural Resources, Southern University and A&M College, 102 C Fisher
Hall, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, USA.
Joan Wesley
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS,
39201, USA.
Emmanuel Nwagboso
Department of Political
Science, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch, Jackson MS, 39217, USA.
Siddig Fageir
Department of Criminal
Justice and Sociology, Jackson State University, 1400 Lynch, Jackson MS, 39217, USA.
Marshand Crisler
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS,
39201, USA.
Peter Isokpehi
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS,
39201, USA.
Duro Olagbegi
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS,
39201, USA.
Mohammed Alsarari
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS,
39201, USA.
Coney Romorno
Department of Urban and
Regional Planning, Jackson State University, 101 W Capitol Street, Jackson MS,
39201, USA.
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