Watershed Degradation JIBRIN, A. et al NAHS 2015 PP.pptx

Watershed Degradation and its socio-economic implications

1. ASSESSMENT OF WATERSHED DEGRADATION AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING KPASHIMI FOREST RESERVE, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA By   Jibrin , A., Musa , I.J., Zubairu , S.M., Mukhtar , I., Usman , J.G., Abdulkadir , A., Kaura , J.S., and Adamu , U. 6th International Conference and Annual General Meeting of Nigeria Association of Hydrological Sciences (NAHS) “ ABU 2015 ” School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 15 th – 18 th September, 2015

2. INTRODUCTION Watershed refers to the holistic condition of a topographically delineated area that is drained by a stream system (Sheng, 1990 ). Watersheds are highly important sources of ecosystem services (MEA, 2005). Watersheds ecosystem services contribute to environmental stability and also sustain socio-economic development of human population. Watershed degradation is the deterioration in the productive potential of watershed over time (Sheng , 1990 ).

3. INTRODUCTION Contn’d Watershed degradation results from deforestation of watershed landscapes. In most developing countries, reliable information is largely lacking on the extent of watershed degradation and its impact on hydrological services .

4. STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBLEM F orest degradation in the developing countries has raised ecological and socio-economic concerns . R eliable information is largely lacking on the extent of forest degradation and its impact on hydrological services . Jibrin (2009; 2013; and 2014) studied deforestation and forest degradation in the Kpashimi forest reserve. However, the impact of forest degradation on the kpashimi forest reserve watershed is yet to be assessed; while elements of watershed degradation could be observed.

5. AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The aim of the study was to investigate the current status of watershed degradation and its socioeconomic impacts on communities surrounding Kpashimi Forest Reserve. The objectives are to : determine the status of forest degradation in Kpashimi forest reserve and surrounding parkland areas; identify the current features of watershed degradation in the Kpashimi forest reserve and surrounding parkland areas. assess the impacts of watershed degradation on socio-economic wellbeing of the communities surrounding Kpashimi forest reserve .

6. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The nature and magnitude of the problem of watershed degradation, and the scarce availability of resources necessitates periodic assessment of watershed conditions. Watershed assessment is a necessary component of a monitoring program in order to determine what degraded or impaired areas may exist in the watershed and what impacts does it have on human well-being .

7. STUDY AREA Figure 1: Relief and Drainage system of Kpashimi forest reserve.

8. STUDY AREA Contn’d Site : Kpashimi Forest Reserve in Niger State, Nigeria and the surrounding nine Nupe ethnic communities comprising of Nassarawa , Fapo , Gulu , Lafian Kpada , Makeri , Kunko , Lafian zago , Zago , and Mayaki . Location :latitude 8 o 40 ʹ to 8 o 52 ʹ North and longitude 6 o 39 ʹ to 6 o 49 ʹ East land area :213.101 square kilometres, Climate : tropical hinterland (wet and dry season; coded as ‘Aw’ by Koppen’s ) Mean annual rainfall is about 1,400 mm M ean annual temperature is about 28 o C ( Ojo , 1977). Relief : sedimentary rock, nearly levelled terrain, dotted by flat topped hills that rise as high as 600 meters. Generally, about 500 meters above sea level S oil types: ferruginous tropical soils, on deeply weathered basement complex rocks and sandstones and hydromorphic soils. Vegetation : Southern Guinea Savanna ( woodland savannah)

9. MATERIALS AND METHODS quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Remotely sensed data processing and GIS analysis. Figure 2: Nigeriasat-1 Satellite imagery showing the watershed

10. METHODS contn’d Ecological Survey (ES) and Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) The questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and Focused Group Discussions were used to get information on the status and impacts of watershed degradation. Sampling Design Given estimated population of about 30,000, the sample size was determined by using the formula of Yamane, (1967). Where : n = Sample Size; N = Population size; 1 = Constant e = The level of precision (0.05) This generated a sample size of 395. Each of the nine communities was considered as a cluster and an equal number of 44 questionnaires were administered randomly in each community .

11. RESULTS Table 1:Changes in plant communities’ area coverage due to deforestation and forest degradation NOTE: ** = Significant at 0.05 Statistical significant level. Source : Field survey, 2015

12. RESULTS Contn’d Table 2: Biophysical indicators of watershed degradation NOTE: x̅ =Mean, SD= Standard Deviation, CV=Coefficient of variation, * = Significant Source: Field survey, 2015

13. RESULTS Contn’d Table 3: Socio-economic impacts of watershed degradation NOTE: x̅ =Mean, SD= Standard Deviation, CV=Coefficient of variation, * = Significant Source : Field survey, 2015

14. SUMMARY The study sought to identify the biophysical changes within the watershed due to deforestation and land use changes. Several characteristics of the watershed including land use, land cover, and hydrology were taken into consideration during the assessment process . The findings of this study revealed that unsustainable natural resources utilization have led to considerable biophysical changes in the watershed. Subsequently these biophysical changes have led to reduced productive potential of forest, land and water resources, leading to increased poverty.

15. CONCLUSION This work adds to the scanty but growing number of studies which demonstrate the impact of watershed degradation on ecosystem hydrological services and socio-economic well being of inhabitants. Degradation of Kpashimi Forest Reserve watershed has brought long term reduction of the quantity and quality of land and water resources.

16. RECOMMENDATION This study recommends the need to further look in to critical biophysical changes in the watershed particularly with regards to the impact of climate change. Watershed management activities should consider integration of indigenous knowledge and conservation practices. The concept of payment for environmental services (PES) is a promising solution to incorporating market based mechanisms in decisions related to land use.