ABSTRACT
The study
was an empirical analysis of the Effects of Socio-Economic Characteristics on
forestland conversion in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State. It
described the agricultural activities of male and female farmers, problems
encountered by both genders during the course of agricultural activities which
may be socio-economic dependent. These socio-economic characteristics were
identified, examined and linked to their marginal effect on forest
neighbourhood. Two hypotheses were formulated to unravel the complexities of
these relationships and for better understanding of their effect on the forest
environment. Data were collected from the three development councils of the
Local Government Area and a total of 160 respondents from the study area were chosen.
Their responses were analysed using descriptive statistics, multiple
regression, and t-test statistics. The study observed that the agricultural
activities in the study area were irrespective of gender. The study further
found out that some socio-economic characteristics of the male gender were
statistically significant in relation to forestland conversion. None of the
female gender socio-economic characteristics was statistically significant. The
mean conversion for both genders was insignificant when tested for equality.
The study also, found out that ownership of forestland does not influence its
management in the study area. Based on these findings, the study concluded that
agricultural activities which led to alteration of the forest environment could
be more male dependent. Policies which could address the male socio-economic
characteristics could have far reaching effect in the stepwise and sustainable
utilization of the forest resources in the study area. The study therefore
recommended programmes, guidelines and constructs which should aim at
addressing the socio-economic characteristics of both genders which should have
an ameliorating effect on the forest neighbourhood. It specifically recommends
that addressing pronatalists issues of unnecessary increment of family size as
a tool for agricultural activities without resounding benefits. Also, efficient
institutional constructs (land tenure laws) which could define and allot forest
ownership pattern should be enacted in the study area. Creation of jobs,
diversification of these jobs and sustainable investments could save our forest
and the environments for the benefits of the present and posterity.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Background
Information
The
usefulness of forest in economic development and environmental sustainability
is not in doubt. Forest environment and diversity of life, which they harbour,
represent an irreplaceable asset to the biosphere and mankind. Ecologically,
their function is unquestionable as they provide two-thirds of net primary
productivity of all terrestrial ecosystems, of which our priceless tropical
forests account for about sixty percent (Umaru, 2005). Also, they serve as
natural habitat for a sizeable chunk of world’s plant and animal species, thus
providing the basis for biological diversity, which is crucial for the
biosphere’s continuity. Forests provide a home for wild animals such as
elephants, monkeys, antelopes, and snakes, which are hunted for food, income
and revenue when conserved in reserves.
Economically,
logging (lumbering) of forest hard wood for hard currencies, fuel wood
gathering, and security for the poor rural population when crop fails or, as an
income supplement during the lean farming periods are essential provisions of
the forest. Furthermore, all these incalculable activities provide about eighty
six percent employment opportunities in rural areas of Enugu State (Enugu State
Government and DFID, 2003). This obviously is well acknowledged especially in
Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the State, which is commonly known for its
farming activities. Hence, the inhabitants are often called the “Uzegus”
meaning literally farmers.
Agriculturally,
forest leaves and branches of trees cover the top soil, thereby intercepting
heavy down pours of rainfall or high velocity moving wind which would have
eroded the soil, thus rendering it less fertile and less productive.
Furthermore, dead and decaying portions of forest trees improve the soil
texture and structure, hence, increasing water infiltration capacity of the
soil. Nutrient recycling ability of the forest trees is also worthwhile. It
increases organic and mineral matter of the soil without any adverse effect on
the ecosystem. Its mineralization capacity, which makes nutrients available,
which would have been permanently, lost is quite fascinating (Okonkwo, 1996).
Forest trees bind soil particles together thereby enhancing stability of the
structure and porosity for effective microbial activities.
The
influential property of the forest in microclimate moderation cannot be
over-emphasized. It regulates temperature and humidity thereby causing
precipitations. Precisely, forest crowns intercept moisture laden winds causing
them to rise up, which
The earth’s
reflectivity (albedo) is enhanced by forest cover Ebo, Okoye and Ayichi (2002)
maintained that forest trees manage and protect water sheds which have cooling
effects on neigbourhood. Thus, maintenance of hydrological cycle is an
essential function of the forest especially in regions characterized with
irregular or seasonal variation of rainfall (Umaru, 2005).
Again, the
pharmacopoeia veritable of the forest resources cannot be under-estimated
(Miller, 1990). Tropical plants provide essential medicine, and genes from
forest biodiversity necessary for breeding improved crop varieties and other
medications. Also, half of the worlds prescribed medicine has their origin in
wildlife species (Salau, 1992).
The
atmospheric purification has lime lighted the crucial importance of the forest
in controlling air pollution. The forest biosphere is next biggest sink for
atmospheric carbon, hence, the sequestering of atmospheric carbon pollutants by
the forest trees is overwhelming (Oyebo, 2002; Umaru, 2005). Thus, this
sequestering ability has been the basis advocated for reducing greenhouse
effect, and an ultimate clamp down on global warming.
Furthermore,
the aesthetic and cultural significance of the forest environment is worth
noting. Their values are intangible but real. This non-use value aspect of
forest environment is unhidden as people sentimentally disprove its destruction
even if they are unlikely to visit the environment.
Despite all
these appreciable benefits and unquantifiable resources of forest to mankind,
the breaching of forest mantle to make way for systematic agriculture, human
settlements, among others have drastically reduced the size of forest and its
resources at an alarming rate.
According to
a study carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the world
lost 450 million hectares of its tropical cover between 1960 and 1990. This is
mainly in Latin America and Africa where about 8.2 million and 5 million
hectares respectively are annually deforested (Burgess, 1993). Deforestation is
mainly the tragedy of the developing worlds as more developed countries (MDCs)
are gaining access to replaced forests (Butler, 2005). Pathetically, deforest
rated regions do not regain their original splendour especially in the harsh
humid climates.....
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