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INCIDENCE OF DEFORESTATION AMONG THE POPULACE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ODIGHI COMMUNITY

INCIDENCE OF DEFORESTATION AMONG THE POPULACE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ODIGHI COMMUNITY

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INCIDENCE OF DEFORESTATION AMONG THE POPULACE AND ENVIRONMENT OF ODIGHI COMMUNITY

Today, forests cover over one-third of the earth’s surface area, account for two-thirds of the leaf area of plants on land, and contain 70% of the carbon contained in living things.Thus, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) believes that 38.7 million square kilometres of land were forested in 2000.

Forests are crucial to all human life because individuals who live in forest areas rely on them for survival in a variety of ways. These include food, medicine, fuel wood, shelter, clothing, timber, building supplies, and so on.

The forest also cleans the air and water, regulates the climate, and prevents water and wind erosion (Azeke, 2003). Forests hold around 90% of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity.

Human population growth (estimated at 7.001 billion by the United States Census Bureau) has led to deforestation, pollution, and industrial use of forests, making them a significant cause of civilisation.The benefits of forests to human well-being can only be perpetuated if the forests themselves are maintained.(Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO, 1994).

Nigeria has lost its natural forest cover at a rate of 3.5 percent per year, resulting in a loss of 350,000 to 400,000 hectares annually (Adedoyin 2001, Aruofor 2000). Since 1990, the country has lost almost 6 million hectares, or 36% of its forest cover.

Nigeria has been losing an average of 11% of its main forest per year. This result places Nigeria at the top of the list for natural forest deforestation globally.

Deforestation is defined as the destruction of forest stands and the conversion of land to non-forest use (SAFnet Dictionary). Deforestation is caused by subsistence farming, commercial farming, road construction projects, logging, mining, and dam construction.

However, Hazel and Lutz (1998) linked resource deterioration in places with intensive rain-fed farming (typical of tropical forest environments) to poverty and population increase.

Scherr and Hazell (1994) recognised conversion of primary forest to farmland, with associated biodiversity loss, climatic change, and exposure of vulnerable soil as part of the environmental challenges caused by rain fed farming.Deforestation could be caused by plantations, commodities, or settlements.

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