Drivers of Wetland Conversion in the Tropical Environment

Authors

  • Oluwafemi Benjamin Adeleke Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20527/jwem.v7i2.204

Abstract

The study identified factors responsible for wetland dynamics and negative marks produced on the environment in the area.  It equally suggested efforts aimed at reducing effects of the factors on the environment. The study incorporated both meta-analysis of case studies and questionnaires distribution and administration to the respondents who are mainly members of the Fadama User Group (FUG). The results showed changes in rainfall intensity as the major factor responsible for wetland loss; followed by settlement developments and loss of soil water due to river drainage. The results further revealed the effects of the factors to include siltation of drainages, destruction of ecosystem and loss of wetness, and emergent of heavy flooding. The study concluded by suggesting efforts aimed at reducing the influence of the factors on the environment.

References

Adeleke, B.O. (2017). Human population growth as proximate cause of wetland dynamics. International Journal of Human Capital in Urban Management. 2(4): 259-266.

Adeleke, B.O., (2017a). Assessment of wetland dynamics and soil quality in Lower Ogun River Basin of Southwestern Nigeria. Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Ajibola, M. O, Adewale, B. A and Ijasan, K. C. (2012) Effects of Urbanization on Lagos Wetlands, International Journal of Business and Social Science 3(17): 310-318. https://ijbssnet.com/journal/index/1534

Aliyu, A and Amadu, L (2017). Urbanization, cities and health: the challenges to Nigeria- A review. Wolters Kluvert/Medknow Publications Ann Afr Med. 16(4): 149-158. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5676403/

Andrew Ker (1995). Farming systems of the African Savanna: A continent in crisis. IDRC Nairobi, Kenya. 1-176 https://www.idrc.ca/en/book/farming-systems-african-savanna-continent-crisis

Asselen, S.V, Verburg, P.H, Vermaat, J.E, Janse, J.H (2013) Drivers of Wetland Conversion: A Global Meta-Analysis. PLOS ONE 8(11): 1-13. https://www.ncbi.nih.gov/pubmed/24282580

Barros, D.F. and Albernaz, A.L.M. (2014). Possible impacts of climate change on wetlands and its biota in the Brazilian Amazon. Brazilian Journals of Biology. 74(4): 810-820. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.04013

Cohen, B. (2004) Urban Growth in Developing Countries: A Review of Current Trends and a Caution Regarding Existing Forecasts. World Development 32(1): 23–51. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/s0305750X03001967

Ehrenfeld, J.G. and Schneider, J.P. (1991). Chamaecyparis Thyoides Wetlands and Suburbanization: Effects on Hydrology, Water Quality and Plant Community Composition. – Journal of Applied Ecology 28: 467–490. In Ajibola, M. O, Adewale, B. A and Ijasan, K. C. 2012 Effects of Urbanisation on Lagos Wetlands, International Journal of Business and Social Science 3(17): 310-318. https://ijbssnet.com/journal/index/1534

Ekanade, R.O (1997). Hill-Slope Agro-Ecosystem and Their Implications on Environmental System in Rural Southwestern Nigeria. Agriculture, Ecosystem and Environment, 61:92-102. In Salami, A.T and Orimoogunje, O.O.I (2011). Environmental Research and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University Press, Ile-Ife Nigeria. 31-62. https://searchworks.stanford.edu.view/9585415

Ekanade, R.O (2011). Biogeographical Development and Environmental Issues in Nigeria. In Salami, A.T and Orimoogunje, O.O.I (2011). Environmental Research and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo University Press, Ile-Ife Nigeria. 31-62. https://searchworks.stanford.edu.view/9585415

Fanan, U., Kwabe I.D and Ifatimehin O.O (2011). Urban expansion and vegetal cover loss in and around Nigeria’s Federal Capital City, Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment. Academic Journals. 3(1): 1-10 . http://www.academicjournals.org/jene

Hunter, L. M. (2000). The environmental implications of population dynamics. Population matters. A RAND Program of Policy-Relevant Research Communication. 1-123 (123 pages) http://www.rand.org/

Idris, M. (2008). “Damming Nigeria's wetlands People: Communities Work Together to Restore Lives and Livelihoods†World Rivers Review: Legacy Issue. 239-244. https://wwww.internationalrivers.org/resources/damming-nigeria-s-wetlands-people-communities-work-together-to-restore-lives-and-livelIhoods

IPCC. (1996). Climate Change 1995, The Science of Climate Change. Houghton, J,T., Meira Filho, L.G., Callander, B.A., Harris, N., Kattenberg, A and Maskell, A. (Eds). Cambridge University Press, UK. Pp. 572.

Jon Kusler (2005). Wetland, Climate Change and Carbon Sequestering. Association of State Wetland Managers. Inc 1-29. http://www.aswm.org/pdf_lib/11_carbon_6_26_06.pdf

Kabii, T. (1996). An Overview of African Wetlands. Ramsar Convention Bureau, Switzerland. 1-6. http://www.oceandocs.org/bitstream/handle/1834/457/Africa

Marengo, J.A. 2007. Mudanças climáticas globais e seus efeitos sobre a biodiversidade: caracterização do clima atual e definição das alterações climáticas para o território brasileiro ao longo do século XXI. 2nd ed. Brasília: Ministério do Meio Ambiente. 212 p. In Barros, D.F. and Albernaz, A.L.M. (2014). Possible impacts of climate change on wetlands and its biota in the Brazilian Amazon. Brazilian Journals of Biology. 74(4): 810-820. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.04013

Marengo, J.A. Ambrizzi, T., Rocha, R.P., Alves, L.M., Cuadra, S.V., Valverde, M.C., Torres, R.R., Santos, D.C. and Ferraz, S.E.T., 2009a. Future change of climate in South America in the late twenty-first century: intercomparison of scenarios from three regional climate models. Climate Dynamics. 35:1089-1113. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/313615817

Marengo, J.A., Jones, R., Alves, L.M. and Valverde, C.M., 2009b. Future change of temperature and precipitation extremes in South America as derived from the PRECIS regional climate modeling system. International Journal of Climatology. 30: 1-15. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/joc.1863/pdf

Mitsch, W.J. Nahlik, A. Wolski, P. Bernal, B. Zhang, L.I. and Ramberg, L. (2010). Tropical wetlands: Seasonal hydrologic pulsing, carbon sequestration, and methane emissions. Wetlands Ecology and Management. 18(5): 573-586. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11273-009-9164-4.

Morris, J.T. (1991): Effects of Nitrogen Loading on Wetland Ecosystems with particular reference to Atmospheric Deposition. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 22: 257–279. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.es.22.110191.001353

Moser M, Prentice C, and Frazier S (1998) A Global Overview of Wetland Loss and Degradation. ramsar. http://www.ramsar.org/en/ramsar-news-archives-2002-a-global-overview-of/main/ramsar/1-26-45-87%5E16905_4000_0

Murdiyarso, D., Kauffman, J.B., Warren, M., Pramova, E. and Hergoualc’h, K. (2012). Tropical wetlands for climate change adaptation and mitigation: Science and policy imperatives with special reference to Indonesia. CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia. 91:1-68 (68 pages). www.cifor.org

National Population Commission (NPC), (2006). Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette, Lagos. www.population.gov.ng

Nielsen D.L. and Brock M.A. (2009). Modified water regime and salinity as a consequence of climate change: prospects for wetlands of Southern Australia. Climatic Change. 95(3-4): 523-533. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-009-9564-8

NEST (Nigerian Environmental Study/ Action Team) (1991). Nigeria's Threatened Environment: A National Profile. 1-288. http://www.nestinteractive.org/publications.php https://www.ircwash.org/resources/nigerias-threatened-environment-national-profile

Odine A. T., Shittu A. M., Ayinde I. A. and Olubanjo O. O. (2011). Assessment of the Economic Value of Selected Wetlands in Southwest, Nigeria. Proceedings of the Environmental Management Conference, September 12 -15, 2011, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 1: 86-100. http://www.unaab.edu.ng/attachments/volume1.pdf

Olarewaju T. O., Shittu A. M, Olubanjo O. O. and Dipeolu A. O. (2011) Perceived Benefits of Selected Wetlands in South-West Nigeria. Proceedings of the Environmental Management Conference, September 12 -15, 2011, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 1: 155-166. http://www.unaab.edu.ng/attachments/volume1.pdf

Pickett, S.T.A., Cadenasso, M.L., Grove, J.M., Nilon, C.H., Pouyat, R.V., Zipperer, W.C., Constanza, R., (2001) Urban Ecological Systems: Linking Terrestrial Ecological, Physical, and Socioeconomic Components of Metropolitan Areas. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics 32: 127–157. http://www.ecologia.ufrgs.br/-adrimelo/ecossistemas/2001_urban_ecological_systems_pdf http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.32.081501.114012

Schuijt, K.D. (2002). Land and Water Use of Wetlands in Africa Economic Values of African Wetlands; International Institute for Applied System Analysis Schlossplatz 1 A-2361 Laxenburg Austria. 1-46. http://pure.iiasa.ac.at/6723/1/IR-02-063.pdf

Tejuoso, O. J. (2006): “Wetland uses/dynamics for agricultural purposes and its health implications in lower Ogun river basin, Lagos, Nigeria†A technical report submitted to International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (Ecosystem Approach to Human Health Team). 20-22. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277170398

Thompson, J.R., (1996). Africa’s Floodplains: a Hydrological Overview. In Schuyt, K.D (2005). Economic consequences of wetland degradation for local population in Africa. Ecological Economics 53(2): 177-190. www.sciencedirect.com

Titus, J.G. Wedge, R. Psuty, N. Fancher, J. (1989) Changing Climate and the Coast Volume 2: Western Africa, the Americas, the Mediterranean Basin, and the rest of Europe: Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; From the Miami conference on adaptive responses to Sea Level Rise and other impacts of Global Climate Change. https://nepis.epa.gov//Exel/ZyNET.exe/600000EN.TXT?

UNEP (United Nation Environmental Programme) (2012). The economics of ecosystems and biodiversity for water and wetlands. Convention on biological diversity. 11th meeting, Hyderabad, India, 8-19 October, 2012. 1-119. http://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/co11/information/cop-11-inf-22-en.pdf.

World Resources Institute, (2000, 2002). Pilot Analysis of Global Ecosystems—Freshwater. World Resources Institute. Washington. DC. www.wri.org

Downloads

Published

2019-08-24

How to Cite

Adeleke, O. B. (2019). Drivers of Wetland Conversion in the Tropical Environment. Journal of Wetlands Environmental Management, 7(2), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.20527/jwem.v7i2.204