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.
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 ................ 15
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)
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 ................ 17
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.
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 ................ 18
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
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 ................ 19
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.
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