The Niger Delta wetland ecosystem: What threatens it and why should we protect it?

Abstract

The Niger Delta wetland ecosystem is of high economic importance to the local dwellers and the nation in general. The region is rich in both aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and serves as a main source of livelihood for rural dwellers as well as stabilizing the ecosystem. Tremendous changes have occurred recently in the Niger Delta wetlands due to anthropogenic activities, thus raising awareness on the need for effective monitoring, protection and conservation of the wetland ecosystem. A good knowledge of the services provided by wetland ecosystems is an important key for an effective ecosystem management. The aim of this paper therefore was to review the importance of wetland resources, their threats and the need to protect them. This review shows that the region is rich in biodiversity of high economic importance to national development, and has been under severe threat from human activities, especially pollution. It is recommended that effective monitoring be employed using modern techniques such as GIS and remote sensing in the conservation and management of this important ecosystem.

Quantifying the exposure of humans and the environment to oil pollution in the Niger Delta using advanced geostatistical techniques

“…These classes of land cover serve as significant carbon sinks and play a key role in global climate change mitigation, so disruption form oil spills at the scale observed in this study can have major implications beyond the region. Mangroves and rainforests are known to provide other significant ecosystems services in the context of hydrological and nutrient cycling but they also provide valuable habitat for the wide range of floral and faunal species, many of which are endemics within the Niger Delta (Mendoza-Cant et al, 2011;Ndidi et al, 2015). The magnitude of the impacts of oil spills on mangroves and rainforests that have been revealed in the present study demonstrate the severe and ongoing threat that is being presented to sustainability of these sensitive ecosystems.…”

“…Crude oil, commonly spilled in the Niger Delta, contains chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCsbenzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) (Mohamadi et al, 2015). Crude oil also contains heavy metals, which potentially have a range of effects on human health (Ndidi et al, 2015;Olobaniyi and Omo-irabor, 2016). Therefore, to properly address and remediate the significant volume of spilled oil, there is the need for the application of detailed hydrocarbon fingerprinting for source identification and characterisation (Wang and Fingas, 2003).…”

Climate Change and the Niger Delta Region

“…Coastal vegetation especially the mangroves have been lost to coastal erosion (Awosika, 1995). The Niger River/delta is an important ecosystem that needs to be protected, for it is home to 36 families and nearly 250 species of fish, of which 20 are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on earth (Chidumeje et al, 2015). It is common knowledge that scientists have estimated that 3/4 of the tropical world's fish catch is dependent on mangrove forests for food or habitats.…”

Implications of Crude Oil Extraction on Agriculture and Livelihood in Oil Producing Rural Communities in Nigeria

“…The operations of the O&G industry have brought about changes that affect the traditional means by which people make their livelihoods (mainly in the rural oilproducing communities). The Niger Delta region is a mainly agrarian society where the majority of the people depend almost solely on the environment (natural resources) and agriculture (mainly farming), fishing and forestry activities including gathering from the wild, hunting, and lumbering (Okonkwo et al, 2015;Akujuru & Ruddock, 2014).…”