Environmental And Socio-Economic Effects Of Timber Exploitation In Imo River Estuary, Eastern Obolo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluated the environmental and socio-economic effects of timber harvesting and identified the drivers increasing the rate of timber exploitation in the Imo River Estuary, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Conducted across five LGAs, a random sampling technique selected 300 respondents, with 60 from each LGA. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, and analysis included percentages, frequencies, Likert scale rating, exploratory factor analysis, and Chi-square tests. Key findings indicated that the primary drivers of timber exploitation were unemployment, lack of forest regulations, unstable government policies, lack of trained officials, and high timber product costs. Factor analysis revealed that loss of biodiversity, disappearance of forest cover, and damage to immature trees and non-wood forest products are the most significant environmental effects, with scores far exceeding the 0.3 decision threshold. The most severe social effect identified was the high cost of farm labor, while the increased cost of wood and forest products and high living costs ranked highest among economic effects. This study is significant for environmental policymakers, conservationists, researchers, and geographers in Nigeria, contributing to the understanding of forest conservation in Southern Nigeria. Unlike the common issues of militancy and pollution in the Niger Delta, this study focuses on the specific drivers of forest depletion, adding valuable insights to the limited literature on this topic. The study concludes that timber harvesting significantly impacts the environmental, economic, and social well-being of the area's inhabitants. Factors such as unemployment, high timber costs, unstable policies, lack of trained officials, poverty, and hunger drive timber exploitation. Effective resource management and sustainable practices are crucial to maintaining a balanced ecosystem and ensuring the long-term availability of natural resources for future generations.