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Wetlands are essential subsystem of the general ecosystem with so many
functions; like purification and sustenance of ground and surface water resources on earth, and its numerous services that it offers to animal, plant, human (local communities) and the nation’s economy at large. The issue of wetland degradation and wetland loss started when the world was seeing wetlands as unproductive, unhealthy land full of snakes and crocodiles. Niger Delta wetland ecosystem is a very rich and important ecosystem in Nigeria, it harbours some endemic spices both flora and fauna, a hotspot for biodiversity and it is of high economic value for the local communities. This paper reviews that changes have occurred in the study area and the Niger Delta wetlands. The changes were identified to be as a result of human activities (anthropogenic activities) and the ongoing environmental pressure resulting from the large scale oil exploration and exploitation, pipeline installation, urban expansion and agriculture. These were identified as some of the major threats to Apoi creek forest wetland. These findings were obtained after analysing the data obtained which helped to raise awareness that can assist to effectively monitor, protect and conserve the wetland ecosystem.
Wetland is an essential ecosystem that provides numerous goods and services such as tourism and recreation, water purification, and groundwater recharge. It also acts as a carbon sink, which means that it is an essential asset in reducing the level of greenhouse gases in the environment. Despite the value, wetlands are disappearing at a fast rate, however, the need to ascertain the state of Upper Orsahi forest reserve wetland with respect to wetlands change. To ascertain the net and transition change detection in the wetland area of the Upper Orashi Forest Wetland, land cover classification change was performed using Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing methods, particularly the supervised classification of land cover data for 2002, 2013, and 2019. The land cover was classified into three classes: wetland, thick vegetation and light vegetation. The result shows a significant degradation of the Upper Orashi forest reserve wetlands within the study period. The data from the questionnaire is to know which sector and activities in the area result in wetland loss. The result shows that industrial sector is the major driver of wetland loss in the area, while the activities include; building of industries, installation of oil and gas facilities, and agriculture. This means that the available laws used to manage Nigeria's wetlands are ineffective. However, there is an urgent need to enact a new regulation for effective/sustainable management of wetlands in the country.
Urban planning implementation is a crucial process of urban planning to improve, attain, and maintain urban sustainability globally. However, the implementation process for land use demarcated for various urban functions is being confronted by various challenges in the Global South. This study aims to integrate questionnaire surveys of urban and regional planning experts and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in order to investigate the level of urban planning implementation of land use demarcated for various urban functions to support strategic actions for urban sustainability. Using Abuja, Nigeria, as a case study, an urban plan, urban impervious surface map, and questionnaire data were collected, and an integrated method analysis, including qualitative and quantitative (descriptive, Euclidean Distance Modelling, and Linear Regression Modelling) was deployed. Key findings show that the vast majority of experts in urban and regional planning perceive the implementation of all land use for various urban functions to be between moderate and very high levels, except that of industrial land use perceived to be between moderate and low levels. GIS findings show that, while land uses demarcated for transportation, commercial, educational, and institutional functions are positively and significantly associated with the urban impervious surface, industrial land use and urban green spaces are negatively associated. Findings show that abuse of official privileges by distorting master plans, political interference, compromise by public servants, and inadequate funding are key challenges for urban planning implementation on land use demarcated for various urban functions. The findings in this study are crucial for strategic decision makers in urban planning to improve the implementation process for various urban land-use functions and urban sustainability in the Global South, in general, and in sub-Saharan Africa, in particular.