Edited by Ajedoyin Dorcas OLOJEDE and Olorundare Oluwapelumi
Deforestation in Nigeria result in 163,000 hectares of tree cover each year.
Deforestation is defined as the purposeful clearing of forested land. Between the years 2001 and 2022, Nigeria has experienced a significant hike in deforestation.
Losing over 12% of its tree covered lands, with an average annual deforestation rate of 163 kha (thousands of hectares). The country’s deforestation rate stands at 3.5% and 400,000 hectares every year.
A study conducted from 2001 to 2020 by the Nigeria Deforestation Rates & Statistics identified Edo, Ondo, Cross River, Taraba and Ogun States as the most affected regions.
However, the rainforest country profile cited Kwara, Niger, Oyo, Ogun and Edo as the most impacted States. Edo State experienced the most significant forest loss reaching 268,000 hectares, compared to the average loss of 28,200 hectares.
Other affected areas in Nigeria include Delta, Kogi, Osun, Ekiti, Bayelsa and Oyo states.
Table of Contents
What Causes Decline in Forest Reserve and Tree Cover in Nigeria?
The causes of deforestation include:
- Agriculture
- Logging
- Urbanisation
- Poverty
- Mining
- Bush burning
- Unsustainable agricultural practises
- Natural Disaster
- Corruption and weak law enforcement
Agriculture
The increased demand for food with the growing population, has led to the increase in forest clearing. This is done to provide land for planting and livestock care.
Slash-and-burn agriculture, a common practise where forests are burned to clear land for farming, is a major cause of deforestation. Shifting cultivation, which involves clearing a land for a few years and leaving it to fallow, if not properly managed, could also lead to deforestation.
Logging
Illegal and unsustainable logging practises, also lead to deforestation. The demand for timber for construction, furniture and paper production, fuels illegal and legal logging, leading to deforestation.
Wood as a primary source of fuel for cooking and heating, also leads to the unsustainable felling of trees. Corruption and weak law enforcement allow illegal logging to persist, further adding to the problem.
Urbanisation
Urban expansion encroaches on forest areas. The construction of infrastructures in remote areas such as: buildings for expanding cities, roads and dams, often leads to significant deforestation.
Poverty
Poverty drives people to exploit forest resources for survival, leading to unsustainable practices.
Mining
Mining for minerals and precious metals, often requires clearing large areas of forest to access and extract resources.
Mining activities also require road construction, processing facilities and other infrastructure, which can lead to further deforestation and landscape degradation.
Bush Burning
This is a process often used for clearing land for farming or grazing. This process can resultantly lead to widespread forest fires and deforestation.
Unsustainable Agricultural Practises
Overgrazing, soil erosion and the use of unsustainable farming methods, can contribute to forest degradation and deforestation.
Natural Disaster
Extreme weather events, such as droughts and wildfires, can damage forests and contribute to deforestation.
Corruption and Weak Law Enforcement
Corruption and weak enforcement of environmental laws can facilitate illegal logging and other activities, that can lead to deforestation.
Consequences of Deforestation
Deforestation in Nigeria leads to severe consequences, including soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, increased carbon emissions and reduced access to clean water, among others. This affect human and animal populations, as well as ecosystems.
Soil Erosion
Deforestation leads to soil degradation, reduced fertility and increased risk of desertification.
Loss of Biodiversity
Deforestation results in the loss of habitats and biodiversity. It endangers different plants and animal species that depends on forest ecosystems.
Climate Change
Deforestation contributes to climate change by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing an increase in carbon emissions.
Reduced Water Resources
Forests play a crucial role in regulating water cycles, therefore, deforestation can lead to reduced water availability.
Increased Risk of Flooding and Landslides
Deforestation can de-stabilise slopes, increasing the risk of landslides and flooding.
Social and Economic Challenges
Deforestation can lead to loss of livelihoods, as well as economic challenges, such as reduced agricultural productivity and loss of tourism revenue. Deforestation also leads to increased poverty, because it reduces access to resources and opportunities.
It can lead to conflict, risk of waterborne diseases and respiratory illnesses. Ultimately, deforestation leads to the displacement of indigenous people.
Reduced Air Quality
Deforestation can reduce the amount of oxygen available, as well as increase air pollution from smoke and dust.
Ways to Combat Deforestation in Nigeria
Nigeria is tackling deforestation through measures such as reforestation and afforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening law enforcement and encouraging alternative energy sources, with a focus on community involvement and partnerships.
These efforts include:
- Reforestation and Afforestation: The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has the Green Recovery Nigeria (GRN) initiative, as its flagship programme, aiming to increase forest cover from its current state of about 4-7% to 25% by 2047. The government aims to restore and protect 380,000 hectares of forest and mangrove by 2030.
- Tree Planting: Initiatives to reforest degraded lands and afforest new areas, are crucial for restoring ecosystems, reducing carbon emission and mitigating climate change impacts.
- Sustainable Forest Management: The GRN project includes a pillar focused on sustainable forest management.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Encouraging sustainable agricultural practises like agroforestry and conservation agriculture, can reduce the need for agricultural expansion through forest conversion.
- Agroforestry: This involves integrating trees into agricultural systems. This practise can enhance productivity and preserve forest cover.
- Improved Farming Techniques: Promoting the use of improved seeds, fertilisers and better farming techniques can reduce pressure on forests.
- Soilless Farming: Some farmers are using soilless farming methods, like hydroponics, to address food security and reduce the need for deforestation.
- Carbon sequestration and afforestation: Forest-based carbon sequestration/separation practises can foster economic development, environmental protection and climate change mitigation. These practises include afforestation, forest management and avoiding deforestation on lands capable of supporting forests naturally. Nigeria launched a National REDD+ Strategy (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) to address deforestation and forest-related emission.
Final Thoughts
Other methods include Implementing alley cropping, timber tree planting, mined area rehabilitation and private sector tree planting. This practises will restore forest cover and ecosystem services.
Enforcing government laws, promoting eco-forestry practises and encouraging the use of alternative energy sources, will also be of great help in curbing the menace.
Read more: The Land And Peoples Of Nigeria: Geography, Physical Features, And Cultures
