SALTWATER - FRESHWATER WETLAND ECOSYSTEM AND URBAN LAND USE CHANGE IN PORT HARCOURT METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
Journal Title: Earth Sciences Malaysia - Year 2018, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
Urban development in wetland ecosystems for human settlement, transport networks, exploration /exploitation of natural resources, agriculture and industrial development is one of the biggest menace to wetland change and management. To estimate future urban expansion is very crucial for urban planners and environmental managers in fastest growing cities. This study aims to examine the saltwater/freshwater ecosystem and urban land use change in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. Sources of data for this study were acquired from a time series of landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) with Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) images were used to derive land use and land cover maps of the Port-Harcourt metropolis. This study revealed that both freshwater wetland and saltwater wetlands ecosystem occupied 46.99% (18837.1 Ha) of the total classes. This may be the result of wetland being in an undisturbed nature without any conversion or alteration for use. The urban land use change of Port-Harcourt metropolis had changed dramatically during the period of 29 years. The two wetlands (saltwater and freshwater wetland) sum up to a total of 40% (16497.5 Ha) which indicates that there is pressure on wetland use such as plant products harvested from fuel wood, human settlement, urban agriculture, sand dredging, sanitation, water pollution and industrial activities from oil companies within the metropolis. Efforts should be made to increase knowledge, sensitization, consultation, stakeholder’s participation and awareness on the wetlands values and wise use economy through dissemination of information, using appropriate techniques and training of adequate staff as well as the need for sound wetland policies, laws and legislation for sustainable use, management and control in conservation of wetland.
Authors and Affiliations
Wali, E. , hil-Eze, P. O, Nwankwoala, H. O
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP402422
- DOI 10.26480/esmy.01.2018.01.07
- Views 94
- Downloads 0
DEEP MARINE BENTHIC FORAMINIFERAL FROM TEMBURONG FORMATION IN LABUAN ISLAND
A paleontological research was conducted in Labuan in pursue of the foraminiferal species of benthic species. Fifteen mudstone samples from Temburong Formation were taken and successfully extracted an amount of benthic f...
HIGH RESOLUTION MAGNETIC FIELD SIGNATURES OVER AKURE AND ITS ENVIRONS, SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA
Aeromagnetic data over Akure, Southwestern Nigeria was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed to unravel subsurface magnetic anomalies. The analyses made on the IGRF corrected aeromagnetic data acquired was used to es...
BASIN CLASSIFICATION OF SHOUSHAN BASIN, WESTERN DESERT, EGYPT
Several research works have been carried out on Shoushan Basin, Western Desert including the petroleum system in the Shoushan Basin. However, there is no proper classification was done on Shoushan Basin, Western Desert,...
ROOT DENSITY ANALYSIS AND WAVE ATTENUATION ABILITY OF RHIZOPHORA SPECIES AT KEMAMAN, TERENGGANU
The root density analysis and wave reduction ability of Rhizophora species was investigated at Pulau Sekepeng, Kemaman (Terengganu) in Peninsular Malaysia. A 12 m transect for Rhizophora species was set up inside the man...
EFFECT OF WEATHERING GRADE ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ROCKS FROM RANAU, SABAH
A study of effect of weathering grade on mechanical properties of rocks have been conducted on selected rock samples from Crocker Formation, Trusmadi Formation and peridotite on weathering grade II to V. The objective is...