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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358
EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 9, No. 9, 2010, pp. 1878-1900
Bioline Code: nd09110
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 9, No. 9, 2010, pp. 1878-1900

 en Potential Impact On Biodiversity In Kwale's Forest Reserve By Power Plant Establishments
Lameed, GA

Abstract

Kwale forest reserve with gazetted area of 3km2 in the present Delta state, south eastern Nigeria, is surrounded by numbers of adjoining communities such as Okpai, Umu-uzor, Ugbome, Nkwor, Amama and Asa. The fringe ecosystem is endowed with important conservation-status species like primate: Cercopithecus check for this species in other resources spp; family of artiodactyla, Tragelaphus scriptus check for this species in other resources , rodentia: Dendrohyrax arborea check for this species in other resources , Thryonomys swinderianus check for this species in other resources ; carnivores Panthera leo check for this species in other resources , Vulpes pallida check for this species in other resources and numbers of avifauna species as well as reptilea. The natural high forest ecosystem consists of emergent trees, such as: Ceiba pentandra check for this species in other resources , Landolphia oweriensis check for this species in other resources ; the under storeys: Strychnos spinosa check for this species in other resources , Lindaclearia dentata check for this species in other resources and the surrounding inhabitant drawn most of their livelihood from the natural ecosystem like bush meat which provide protein, firewood, water for cooking and other basic necessities. The use of Kwale forest reserve and the surrounding ecosystem by the Independent Power Plant (IPP) for electricity generation will continue to contribute to the loss of most natural resource base (flora and fauna). Many of such developmental projects (eco-development) are executed daily in the country and have resultant ecosystem damage, species erosion and environmental degradation. The exploitation over past decades has left a wasteland with serious environmental problems. The percentage preference for hunting of primate, rodent, antelope and avifauna are 55%, 20%, 20%, 5%, respectively, while the preference for consumption of meat indicated that bush meat is mostly preferred (33.5%) by the inhabitants, compared to other conventional sources such as beef, pork, fish, and chicken with 20.6%, 10.5%, 25.6% and 10.0%, respectively. It is pertinent to note that strategic management will be needed to protect, sustain, and manage the Kwale forest reserve along side with IPP developmental concept, thus, there is a need for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool for decision makers as well as ecosystem managers. This is necessary for timely communication of information between the policy makers (government) and stakeholders conducting specific projects that have mutual benefits to the general public.

Keywords
Environment, Assessment, Flora, Fauna, Impact

 
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