Biodiversity in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities

BY ONIPEDE PAUL OYEKUNLE

Biodiversity is the variety of life on earth, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and the ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is essential for human well-being, as it provides many benefits and services, such as food, medicine, raw materials, climate regulation, pollination, and recreation. However, biodiversity is under threat from human activities, such as habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. These threats pose serious risks to the health and livelihoods of millions of people, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.

Nigeria is a country rich in biodiversity, with diverse natural ecosystems and many species of plants, animals, and microorganisms. According to the recent National Strategy for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime in Nigeria (2022-2026), Nigeria is home to over 864 species of birds, 117 amphibians, 203 reptiles, over 775 species of fish, 285 mammals, over 4,715 vascular plants, and likely many more undocumented species. The country’s natural ecosystems range from semi-arid savanna to montane forests, rich seasonal floodplain environments to rainforests, and vast freshwater swamp forests to diverse coastal vegetation.

The Niger Delta, in particular, is a global biodiversity hotspot, as it contains the largest mangrove forest in Africa, covering 1 million hectares out of the 3.2 million hectares of mangrove forest in Africa. The Niger Delta also hosts 11 Ramsar sites, which are wetlands of international importance, covering 1,076,728 hectares. These wetlands provide habitat for many endangered species, such as the Niger Delta red colobus, the Cross River gorilla, the African manatee, and the leatherback turtle.

Biodiversity plays a vital role in the livelihoods and survival of many Nigerians. It provides diverse ecosystem services, such as food, medicine, raw materials, and aesthetic values. Nigeria’s rural population is highly dependent on the country’s varied forms of biodiversity. For example, about 70% of Nigerian households, mostly in rural and semi-urban areas, rely heavily on firewood consumption for their domestic and commercial energy needs. In addition, tourism is one of Nigeria’s fastest growing industries and is reliant on wildlife, nature reserves, resorts, and an abundant water supply for recreation.

However, biodiversity is undervalued in Nigeria and the country’s biological resources are continually threatened by increasing rates of ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss. According to the IUCN Red List 2019, Nigeria has a total of 309 threatened species. The main causes of biodiversity loss in Nigeria are habitat loss and fragmentation, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. These causes are driven by various factors, such as population growth, urbanization, poverty, weak governance, and lack of awareness.

Biodiversity conservation in Nigeria faces many challenges, such as inadequate funding, capacity, and data; conflicting policies and laws; poor enforcement and compliance; low stakeholder participation and collaboration; and limited public awareness and education. These challenges hinder the effective implementation of the national and international commitments and obligations that Nigeria has made to protect and sustainably use its biodiversity.

However, biodiversity conservation in Nigeria also offers many opportunities, such as enhancing economic development, poverty reduction, food security, health, and resilience. Nigeria has taken some steps to seize these opportunities, such as developing and implementing various policies, strategies, and action plans; establishing and managing protected areas and other conservation measures; promoting sustainable use and management of natural resources; engaging and empowering local communities and other stakeholders; and participating in regional and global initiatives and partnerships.

In this article, I will discuss how these steps can be further improved and scaled up to address the challenges and opportunities of biodiversity conservation in Nigeria. I will also provide some recommendations and best practices for enhancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Habitat Loss And Fragmentation

One of the major threats to biodiversity in Nigeria is habitat loss and fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and urban development. According to a report by WWF, Nigeria lost 1 million hectares of forest land between 2000 and 2015 due to logging, mining activities, infrastructure projects such as roads and dams, and land clearing for agriculture such as cocoa cultivation. Deforestation reduces habitat quality and availability for wildlife species such as elephants, chimpanzees, gorillas, lions, leopards, crocodiles, monkeys, birds, insects, etc., wp pplhich are important for maintaining ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and natural pest and disease control.

Habitat loss and fragmentation also increase the vulnerability of biodiversity to other threats, such as overexploitation, invasive species, and climate change. For example, habitat fragmentation reduces the genetic diversity and viability of populations, making them more prone to inbreeding, disease, and extinction. Habitat loss also reduces the adaptive capacity of species and ecosystems to cope with changing environmental conditions, such as temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise.

To address the threat of habitat loss and fragmentation, Nigeria needs to adopt and implement integrated land use planning and management approaches that balance the competing demands of different sectors and stakeholders for land and natural resources. Such approaches should consider the ecological, social, and economic values and functions of biodiversity and ecosystems, and apply the principles of ecosystem-based management, landscape connectivity, and spatial prioritization.

Nigeria also needs to strengthen and expand its network of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, such as community-conserved areas, indigenous and local community-conserved areas, sacred natural sites, and private reserves. Protected areas are the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation, as they provide safe havens for threatened and endemic species, and maintain essential ecosystem services. Nigeria has designated 7 national parks, 32 game reserves, 994 forest reserves, 11 Ramsar sites, 2 World Heritage sites, and 1 biosphere reserve, covering about 10% of its land area. However, these protected areas are not representative of the country’s biodiversity and ecosystems, and face many challenges such as inadequate funding, capacity, and management; encroachment and illegal activities; and conflicts with local communities.

Therefore, Nigeria needs to improve the representativeness, effectiveness, and governance of its protected areas and other conservation measures, by applying the criteria and guidelines of the IUCN and the CBD. This includes identifying and filling the gaps and priorities in the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems; developing and implementing participatory and adaptive management plans and monitoring systems; securing adequate and sustainable financial and human resources; enhancing law enforcement and compliance; and promoting equitable and inclusive stakeholder engagement and benefit-sharing.

Overexploitation

Another major threat to biodiversity in Nigeria is overexploitation, which refers to the unsustainable use of natural resources for human consumption or trade. Overexploitation affects many species of plants and animals, especially those that are rare, endemic, or have high economic value. For example, Nigeria is one of the largest consumers and exporters of bushmeat in Africa, with an estimated annual harvest of 1.7 million tons, worth US$ 1 billion. Bushmeat is a major source of protein and income for many rural and urban households, but it also poses a serious threat to the survival of many wildlife species, such as primates, antelopes, rodents, and birds. Bushmeat hunting also increases the risk of zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola, Lassa fever, and monkeypox, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Overexploitation also affects many plant species, such as medicinal plants, timber, and non-timber forest products. Nigeria has a rich and diverse flora, with over 7,895 plant species, of which about 3,000 are used for medicinal purposes. Medicinal plants are widely used by traditional healers and local communities for the treatment of various ailments, such as malaria, diabetes, hypertension, and infections. However, many medicinal plants are overharvested, endangered, or extinct due to habitat loss, lack of cultivation, and poor management. Similarly, timber and non-timber forest products, such as rattan, bamboo, gum, resin, honey, and mushrooms, are important sources of income and livelihood for many Nigerians, especially the rural and poor populations. However, these products are also subject to overexploitation, illegal trade, and unsustainable harvesting practices, which deplete the natural resources and degrade the ecosystems.

To address the threat of overexploitation, Nigeria needs to adopt and implement sustainable use and management practices that ensure the conservation and restoration of natural resources and ecosystems. Such practices should apply the principles of adaptive management, precautionary approach, and equitable benefit-sharing, . Nigeria also needs to regulate and monitor the use and trade of natural resources and products and enforce the laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict the exploitation of endangered or threatened species and ecosystems. Furthermore, Nigeria needs to raise awareness and educate the public and the stakeholders about the value and importance of biodiversity and ecosystems, and the consequences of overexploitation. By doing so, Nigeria can reduce the pressure and demand for natural resources and products, and promote responsible and ethical consumption and trade. These actions can help Nigeria to balance the needs and interests of different groups and sectors, and to achieve the sustainable use and management of its biodiversity and ecosystems.

Pollution

Pollution is the introduction of harmful substances or energy into the environment, such as chemicals, waste, noise, or heat. Pollution can affect biodiversity and ecosystems in various ways, such as reducing the quality and quantity of water, air, and soil; altering the chemical and physical properties of natural resources; causing diseases, mutations, and death of living organisms; and disrupting the food chains and webs.

Pollution is a serious problem in Nigeria, as the country faces many sources and types of pollution, such as industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, oil spills, solid waste, sewage, and gas flaring. These sources and types of pollution have negative impacts on many species and ecosystems in Nigeria, such as fish, birds, mammals, plants, wetlands, forests, and coral reefs. For example, oil spills are one of the major causes of pollution in the Niger Delta, as they contaminate the water, soil, and vegetation, and affect the health and livelihoods of millions of people and wildlife. According to a report by UNEP, the Niger Delta has suffered from over 50 years of oil pollution, which has resulted in widespread environmental damage and human rights violations.

To address the problem of pollution, Nigeria needs to adopt and implement strict environmental standards and regulations that prevent, reduce, and control the emission and discharge of pollutants into the environment. Nigeria also needs to monitor and enforce the compliance and accountability of the polluters, and impose sanctions and penalties for the violations of the environmental laws and regulations. Furthermore, Nigeria needs to promote and support the use of clean and green technologies and practices that minimize the generation and impact of pollutants on the environment. Additionally, Nigeria needs to restore and rehabilitate the polluted sites and ecosystems, and compensate the affected communities and stakeholders.

Invasive Species

Invasive species are species that are introduced or spread outside their native range, and cause harm to the native biodiversity and ecosystems. Invasive species can affect biodiversity and ecosystems in various ways, such as competing with, preying on, or parasitizing the native species; altering the structure and function of the ecosystems; reducing the genetic diversity and viability of the native populations; and transmitting diseases and pathogens.

Invasive species are also a problem in Nigeria, as the country faces many invasive plants, animals, and microorganisms, such as water hyacinth, giant mimosa, Nile perch, tilapia, Asian tiger mosquito, and cassava mosaic virus. These invasive species have negative impacts on many species and ecosystems in Nigeria, such as aquatic plants, fish, crops, livestock, and human health. For example, water hyacinth is one of the most invasive plants in the world, as it forms dense mats on the surface of water bodies, and blocks the sunlight, oxygen, and nutrients for the aquatic life. Water hyacinth also affects the navigation, fishing, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation in the water bodies.

To address the problem of invasive species, Nigeria needs to adopt and implement comprehensive and coordinated strategies and actions that prevent, eradicate, and manage the invasive species and their impacts on the environment. Nigeria also needs to monitor and assess the distribution, abundance, and impact of the invasive species, and identify and prioritize the high-risk and high-value areas and species for intervention. Moreover, Nigeria needs to raise awareness and educate the public and the stakeholders about the threats and impacts of the invasive species, and the best practices and methods for their prevention, eradication, and management. Additionally, Nigeria needs to cooperate and collaborate with other countries and regions, and participate in the global and regional initiatives and networks on invasive species.

Climate Change

The final major threat to biodiversity in Nigeria is climate change, which refers to the long-term changes in the Earth’s climate system, such as temperature, precipitation, and sea level rise. Climate change is caused by the increase of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, in the atmosphere, due to human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and agriculture. Climate change has significant impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems, as it alters their distribution, abundance, phenology, physiology, and interactions.

Climate change affects biodiversity in Nigeria in various ways, such as changing the timing and intensity of rainfall, increasing the frequency and severity of droughts and floods, altering the length and quality of growing seasons, increasing the risk of fires and pests, and causing coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion. These impacts have negative consequences for the survival and productivity of many species and ecosystems, such as savanna, forest, wetland, and marine ecosystems, which are already stressed by other threats, such as habitat loss, overexploitation, and pollution.

To address the threat of climate change, Nigeria needs to adopt and implement mitigation and adaptation strategies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the resilience of biodiversity and ecosystems. Mitigation strategies include promoting low-carbon development, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green transportation; reducing deforestation and forest degradation, and enhancing forest carbon stocks; and implementing sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and organic farming. Adaptation strategies include conserving and restoring ecosystem services, such as water regulation, soil fertility, and erosion control; enhancing the genetic and ecological diversity of species and ecosystems; and supporting the livelihoods and capacities of local communities and other stakeholders.

Conclusion

In conclusion, biodiversity is a valuable and vital asset for Nigeria, as it provides many benefits and services for human well-being and development. However, biodiversity is under serious threat from human activities, such as habitat loss, overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. These threats pose serious risks to the health and livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, especially the rural and poor populations. Therefore, biodiversity conservation in Nigeria is not only an environmental issue, but also a social and economic issue.

Biodiversity conservation in Nigeria faces many challenges, such as inadequate funding, capacity, and data; conflicting policies and laws; poor enforcement and compliance; low stakeholder participation and collaboration; and limited public awareness and education. These challenges hinder the effective implementation of the national and international commitments and obligations that Nigeria has made to protect and sustainably use its biodiversity.

However, biodiversity conservation in Nigeria also offers many opportunities, such as enhancing economic development, poverty reduction, food security, health, and resilience. Nigeria has taken some steps to seize these opportunities, such as developing and implementing various policies, strategies, and action plans; establishing and managing protected areas and other conservation measures; promoting sustainable use and management of natural resources; engaging and empowering local communities and other stakeholders; and participating in regional and global initiatives and partnerships.

In this article, I have discussed how these steps can be further improved and scaled up to address the challenges and opportunities of biodiversity conservation in Nigeria. I have also provided some recommendations and best practices for enhancing biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Nigeria. These include adopting and implementing integrated land use planning and management approaches; strengthening and expanding the network of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures; reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing the resilience of biodiversity and ecosystems; and promoting equitable and inclusive stakeholder engagement and benefit-sharing.

Onipede Paul Oyekunle can be reached via [email protected]