Impacts of Deforestation on the Loss of Biodiversity · One very serious impact of deforestation is...

International Journal of Forestry & Plantation ISSN: 2656-6176, Volume 1, Issue 2, page 14 - 20

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Isese, M. O. O. 2019. Impacts of Deforestation on the Loss of Biodiversity ................ 14

Impacts of Deforestation on the

Loss of Biodiversity

Isese, M. O. O.

Isese, M. O. O.

Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria

Nigeria

1. Introduction: Deforestation a major Biodiversity set back

Deforestation has been described as one of the threatening global development challenges and a

serious environmental problem facing the world and Nigeria. Deforestation is basically the change of

forest. It results from the removal of trees without sufficient replacement, which leads to a reduction in

habitat, biodiversity as well as wood and quality of life. (FAO, 2011) defines deforestation as the long-

term reduction of the tree canopy cover below the minimum 10 percent threshold. (UNFCCC,2006 )

description has a different threshold, in which deforestation is defined as a measurable sustained

decreased in crown cover from greater than 10-30 percent to less than 10- 30 percent. In their

definitions emphasis is put on the direct human-induced conversion of forested land to non-forested

land. Land-use changing from forest to non-forest uses is counted as deforestation while temporary tree

cutting where the forest is expected to regenerate is not considered as deforestation (Indarto and

Mutaqin, 2016).

One very serious impact of deforestation is loss of biodiversity. Heywood and Baste (1995),

posited that biodiversity is defined in its broadest sense, as the ―variety of life on earth,‖ otherwise

described in terms of gene, species and ecosystem. However, exotic organisms that have been

introduced and communities such as agricultural fields that are maintained by regular intervention were

excluded (Sala, 2000) from this definition. In cases where any species, either exotic or indigenous, is an

Abstract: Deforestation has been in the center of most world discussions as the major

cause of climate change and environmental as well as atmospheric challenges which

has adverse consequence on human settlement as well as plant and animal natural

habitat. The impact of deforestation on biodiversity in Nigeria is seen in terms of loss of

valuable plant species, reduced plant biomass, extinction of animal species.

Deforestation is an ongoing phenomenon in Nigeria and is becoming more visible with

increasing population and urbanization in almost of parts of the country. The effects of

deforestation have led to a decline in forest cover, forest degradation and loss of

biodiversity. This review paper provides concise insight into the functional strategies

for reversing deforestation trend and the effective conservation of the wide varieties of

Nigeria’s natural vegetation.

Keywords: Deforestation, Biodiversity & Population growth.

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integral part of the bio-ecological landscape, such definition becomes inappropriate. Biodiversity or

biological diversity has been studied at different levels (genetic, species, ecosystem and community

level. Global Biodiversity Assessment of the Global Environmental Change (1995) has reported that

species are now becoming extinct at 10,000 times the natural rate. The rate at which different plant

species are used for medicinal purposes without replacement has also contributed to the loss of this

species. According to Sofowora (1993) he reported an increasing trend in the use of medicinal plants

amongst both urban and rural dwellers in Nigeria. He opined that this trend will have serious

implications on the survival of some plants species because of the unsustainable manner in which many

species are harvested. Malaria control is suffering a setback in many rural southern Nigeria societies

because of loss of curative plant species due to deforestation (Uneke and Ibeh, 2009).

Population growth has been reported as the major cause of environmental change and degradation

(Philip, 1990; McNamara, 1992a). Deforestation, soil deterioration, and loss in genetic and species

diversity are factors commonly associated with this phenomenon (Charkeseliani, 1990; Agarwal,

1992). This review work aimed to examine the impact of deforestation on biodiversity in Nigeria.

2. Decreased Biodiversity a function of Habitat Loss

According to (Myers and Mittermeier,2000), forests especially those in the tropics serve as

storehouses of biodiversity and consequently deforestation, fragmentation and degradation destroy the

biodiversity as a whole and habitat for migratory species including the endangered ones, some of which

are still to be catalogued.

Tropical forests support about two-thirds of all known species and contain 65 per cent of the

world’s 10, 000 endangered species. Retaining the biodiversity of the forested areas is like retaining a

form of capital until more research can establish the relative importance of various plants and animal

species. According to the World Health Organization, about 80 percent of the world’s population relies

for primary health care at least partially on traditional medicine. The biodiversity loss and associated

large changes in forest cover could trigger abrupt, irreversible and harmful changes. These include

regional climate change including feedback effects that could theoretically shift rainforests to savannas

and the emergence of new pathogens as the growing trade in bush meat increases contact between

humans and animals. The heavy fragmentation of this habitat has resulted in an intense human-elephant

conflict causing not only in the loss of agricultural crops but also human and elephant lives. Mortality

of about 50 persons and 20 elephants was reported due to these severe human-elephant conflicts from

this hotspot area annually (Sukumar et.al, 2003, Mangave H.R, 2004). A very important consequence

of deforestation is the elimination of the gene pool, the permanent loss of valuable plant and animal

genetic resources. Many plant species of importance such as valuable commercial species and source of

pharmaceutical products are near extinction as a result of deforestation. Also, the destruction of wildlife

habitat has drastically reduced animal populations and productivity such that many rare species are now

threatened with extinction as reported by Roper (Roper.J &Robert.R, 2006). In Nigeria, many trees,

shrubs, herbs and assorted animals have been depleted while some are endangered. Several plant

species have been overexploited especially those with edible seeds, nuts and kernels are now

endangered (Mfon et.al, 2014). Most primates such as guenons, mangabeys, drills, chimpanzees and

gorillas are now endangered (Akachuku, 2006). Adetola O.O & Adebisi M.A, 2019 sited that

biodiversity loss poses a significant threat to humanity. The global encroachment by humans into

natural habitats drives habitat loss and fragmentation, leading to declines in species richness (Hadad et

al. 2015).


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Fig 1: Map of Nigeria showing Vegetation zones

3. Effect of Deforestation on the Flora and Fauna of forest areas: A case of Extinction

Deforestation activities in Nigeria have negatively impacted on the flora and fauna resources of

the country. Several forest reserves in the country have been converted to agricultural purposes using

the tungya system. A large number of farmers (from the then south-west of Cross River state, now the

neighboring State of Akwa Ibom) were permitted to move into ’’Ekinta, an 11,000 hectares forest

reserve in the South East to establish plantations of Gmelina arborea using the taungya system.

However, due to a shortage of funds for seedlings and supervision, virtually no plantations were

established. In less than a decade, 90% of the forest reserve had become cassava farms instead of forest

plantations, with hardly a tree standing.‖ Valuable timber species such as Iroko (Milicia excels),

Mahogany (Khaya spp), Black Afara (Terminalia ivorensis), Mimusups (Baillonella toxisperma),

White Afara (Terminalia superba), Cedar (Lovoa trichilloides), Ebony, etc. that used to be very

common in Cross River State, are now extremely scarce and difficult to find. If available, the prices are

so astronomical that only those at the upper echelon of society can afford to buy them. In some local

communities, people are beginning to roof their houses with Gmelina arborea, a thing that now surprise

the local people themselves. On the fauna side, several wild animal species have become extinct, some

critically endangered, and some that were hitherto common have also become endangered. Extinct

species include among others Leopards, Bush cow, African giant pangolin, etc. Critically endangered

include Chimpanzee (Pantroglodytes), Drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli),

Preuss’s monkey (Cercopithecus preussi), Red bellied monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), Sclater’s

guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri—endemic to Nigeria), Wild dog (Lycaon pictus). The endangered list

include African elephant (Loxodonta Africana), Cheeta (Acinonyx jubatus), Red eared guenon

(Cercopithecus erythrotis), Pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis), African pygmy squirrel

(Myosciurus pumilio), West African mantee (Trichechus senegalensis), Spotted- necked otter (Lutra

maculicollis), etc (Enuoh, 2012)


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Fig 2: Map of Africa Showing rate of Deforestation

4.0 Suggested strategies to reverse the effects of Deforestation in Nigeria

4.1. Creation of Forest Reserves

These are areas delineated and gazetted by government and activities, such as taking and selling

Of forest produce without license, destruction of forest estate, destruction of water ways as well

as kindling of fire without consent are prohibited.

4.2. Commencement of conservation processes

For biodiversity through the creation of strict nature reserves, National Parks, Biosphere

Reserves, Investigation plots for natural regeneration, some sanctuaries, fish parks, wetland

conservation areas etc.

4.3. Rainforest Management

Many techniques have been utilized to manage the rainforest. These methods include; enrichment

planting, tropical shelter wood system, taungya system, plantation establishment, Malayan uniform

system etc. it is unfortunate that these management techniques have not been able to save the rainforest

in Nigeria

.

4.4. Afforestation Programmers’

From Table 1 below shows that Nigeria is one of the world’s most deforested countries hence,

afforestation programs must be encourages to reduce the menace. Many afforestation programmers

have been carried out in Nigeria over the years. However, there are very few mature forest plantations

to provide fuel wood and sawn timber. Also, very few wood based companies have plantations of their

own. Even the annual tree planting campaign, which was started by the Forestry Association of Nigeria

in order to create awareness for tree planting has been hijacked by politicians. Of recent, politicians

created fanfare out of the tree planting with the president and state governors planting ceremonial trees

followed by other dignitaries. After the planting, funds are not released as and when due in order to

tend to the planted seedlings; thereby many of these seedlings do not survive after the first year of

planting.


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Table 1: 50 Countries with the Highest Forest loss from 2000 – 2012

Country Forest Loss Forest Gain Net Loss

Russia 365015 162292 202723

Brazil 360277 75866 284411

United States 263944 138082 125862

Canada 263943 91071 172872

Indonesia 157850 69701 88149

China 61130 22387 38743

DR. Congo 58963 13926 45037

Australia 58736 14142 44594

Malaysia 47278 25798 21480

Argentina 46958 6430 40528

Paraguay 37958 510 37448

Bolivia 29867 1736 28131

Sweden 25533 15281 10252

Colombia 25193 5516 19677

Mexico 23862 6333 17529

Mozambique 21552 1446 20106

Tanzania 19903 3041 16862

Finland 19516 10849 8667

Angola 19320 638 18682

Peru 15288 1910 13378

Myanmar 14958 3149 11809

Cote d’Ivoire 14889 2298 12591

Madagascar 14659 4051 10608

Zambia 13163 181 12982

Venezuela 12958 1910 11048

Cambodia 12595 1096 11499

Vietnam 12289 5643 6646

Laos 12084 3379 8705

Thailand 12049 4992 7057

Chile 11879 14611 -2732

Nigeria 10239 603 9636

South Africa 9526 8313 1213

India 8971 2549 6422

Guatemala 8883 1094 7789

Nicaragua 8225 662 7563

France 7664 5062 2602

Spain 6908 4482 2426

New Zealand 6883 7102 -219

Papua New Guinea 6337 2308 4029

Philippines 6227 2726 3501

Poland 5829 5041 788

Ukraine 5657 3529 2128

Ghana 5406 1345 4061

Ecuador 5246 1027 4219

Portugal 4987 2866 2121

Germany 4890 2585 2305

Honduras 4860 582 4278

Cameroon 4816 651 4165

Mongolia 4779 103 4676


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Central African

Republic 4719 395 4324

Japan 4303 2570 1733

Belarus 4167 3755 412

Source: Mongabay com* Negative number represents net gain in forest cover.

5. Reference

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