Human population growth as proximate cause of wetland dynamics

Volume 2, Issue 4
Autumn 2017
Pages 259-266

Document Type : ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE

Author

Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract
The study examined the influence of population as proximate cause of wetland dynamics in the lower Ogun river basin of southwestern, Nigeria. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data included 100 questionnaires administered and distributed among the fadama users group representing 10% of the estimated population of the group. Satellite images of years 1972, 1984, 2000 and 2015 were analyzed using GIS technique, while corresponding year’s census figures were analyzed using descriptive percentage method. The results revealed among others that availability of fertile wetlands for farming accounted for 56% of factors responsible for sudden growth in population, followed by availability of economic trees (16%). The results further revealed that population which was 1033 in 1972 increased by about 121.69% in 1984, 62.777% in 2000 and 33.80% in 2015. The study concluded that population grow was responsible for the instability reported in all the land use classes during the period mostly affected were forested and the non-forested wetlands.

Keywords

Subjects
Adeleke, B.O., (2017). 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 Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Geography, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Odine, A.T.; Shittu, A.M.; Ayinde, I.A.; Olubanjo, O.O., (2012). Assessment of the economic value of selected wetlands in southwest, Nigeria. Proceedings of the environmental management conference, Federal university of agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. 1: 86-100 (15 pages).
 

  • The influence of population as proximate cause of wetland dynamics in the study area was overwhelming
  • Fertile wetlands availability accounts majorly for farms proliferations and sudden growth in population.
  • The population of the study area increased by more than 100 percent at a period covered by the study

  • Receive Date 01 July 2017
  • Revise Date 05 August 2017
  • Accept Date 24 September 2017