THE STEADY LOSS OF OUR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Biodiversity, this elegant shortened form of biological diversity, means the diversity of life on planet earth; the variety of living things and importantly, their interactions. The Convention on Biological Diversity defines biodiversity as “the variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are a part: this includes diversity within and between species; and of ecosystems” (CBD 1992).

In other words, there are three types or hierarchical levels of biodiversity, namely, genetic biodiversity, species biodiversity and ecosystem biodiversity. It is the interaction within, between, and amongst the three that underpins the complexity of life on earth.  

In West Africa, most of the highly biodiverse ecosystems are located in protected areas, including National Parks and Nature Reserves. These areas, numbering 1,936 across the region, cover around 9.6 percent of West Africa and most of them are forest reserves.

Nigeria has the largest number of National Parks in West Africa. There are 17 National Parks dotted across the country. There are also 108 forest reserves spread across various states. These reserves play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and supporting local communities through sustainable forest management. The various ecosystems in the country harbour a broad range of plant and animal species. According to Nigeria’s National Strategy for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime in Nigeria (2022 – 2026), Nigeria is home to over 900 species of birds, 118 amphibians, and 203 reptiles, over 775 species of fish, 290 mammals, over 4,715 vascular plants.

Without a doubt, there are many undocumented biota all over the country. Interestingly, there are some animals that are adjudged to be endemic to Nigeria; in other words, they are found in Nigeria and nowhere else. They include the following mammals: i) Cercopithecus sclateri Sclater’s Guenon, ii) Cercopithecus erythrogaster pococki Nigerian White-throated Guenon, iii) Piliocolobus epieni Niger Delta Red Colobus Monkey iv) Crocidura longipes Savanna Swamp Shrew, v) Dasymys foxi Fox’s Shaggy Rat, vi) Praomys obscurus Gotel Mountain Soft-furred Mouse, and vii) Choeropsis liberiensis heslopi the Niger Delta Pigmy Hippo. The bird species adjudged to be endemic to Nigeria include Malimbus ibadanensis Ibadan Malimbe and Estrilda poliopareia Anambra Waxbill. The former is known from only a few forest blocks in Western Nigeria, while the latter has recently been sighted across the Nigerian border with Benin Republic. The Jos Plateau, is one of the country’s sub-Afromontane highlands. Despite the area being ravaged by decades of tin mining, a unique parasitic symbiotic association has evolved between two sympatric bird species of the plateau; the Jos Indigobird Vidua maryae and Rock Firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis. The two bird species remain the delight of wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists in Nigeria, where they are strongly considered putative national endemics. Elsewhere, a medium-altitude Nigerian highland holds a rare endemic wildlife; the elusive Perret’s Toad Sclerophrys perreti of Idanre Hills in the western part of the country.

… biodiversity is dwindling, and this is attributable to many factors, namely: deforestation, agricultural expansion, overexploitation of resources, climate change, pollution, population growth and urbanization, invasive species, loss of genetic diversity, habitat destruction and loss, and land use change…  
 

West Africa is home to a very rich variety of ecosystems, which include rainforests, savannas, mangroves, freshwater, Sahel, deserts, wetlands, mountains, and coastal ecosystems. These in turn habour tremendous biodiversity. Unfortunately, biodiversity is dwindling, and this is attributable to many factors, namely: deforestation, agricultural expansion, overexploitation of resources, climate change, pollution, population growth and urbanization, invasive species, loss of genetic diversity, habitat loss, and land use change.

Deforestation and its effects in West Africa have become very serious issues. Virtually every country in West Africa is affected. But Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria are the worst hit by this ugly phenomenon. While large-scale cocoa farming is the major reason for deforestation in the former, illegal logging, bush burning, and other environment-unfriendly agricultural practices are among the contributors to deforestation in the latter. Nigeria, in particular, has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world, as documented by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. As the forests disappear, so do the forest ecosystems and their biodiversity.

There is currently food insecurity affecting virtually every developing country. This is owing to the economic downturn which is largely attributable to some global economic and political developments and, of course, climate change. This has necessitated the clamour for massive food production by various governments. While self-sufficiency in food production is a necessity, it should be noted that unsustainable agricultural practices are fraught with devastating environmental consequences.  Another challenge is the overexploitation of resources. Overfishing in marine and freshwater ecosystems as well as illegal wildlife hunting and poaching for bushmeat and also illegal wildlife trade, all contribute to the depletion of biodiversity.

It is noteworthy that changes in rainfall patterns, desertification and rising temperatures as a result of climate change are altering habitats and ecosystems. Also, coastal and low-lying areas are susceptible to sea level rise and saline intrusion which threaten mangroves and wetlands and all their biodiversity. The Niger Delta of Nigeria is a typical example, if not the epitome, of what anthropogenic factors can do to denature aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Decades of oil exploration, exploitation and production have left ecosystems and biomes depauperate. We say that the Niger Delta is about the most polluted delta in the world. Loss of biodiversity is a direct consequence of this development.

Population growth and the concomitant increase in the demand for food, land, and resources mount pressure on ecosystems and ultimately lead to declining biodiversity.

The reduction of biodiversity has extensive consequences. Ecosystem services such as pollination, soil fertility and water purification will be disrupted. Even agricultural productivity and food security are affected. Communities that have survived for millennia through the interaction with the various ecosystems would face economic hardship. Also, degradation and disruption of natural barriers lead to erosion and floods that often come with severe consequences and significances. Research and science are impeded with the loss of biodiversity as natural systems are obstructed and/or disrupted.

To stem the steady loss of biodiversity, be it in Nigeria or across the region and even in the continent, there is need to fortify environmental policies and regulations

To stem the steady loss of biodiversity, be it in Nigeria or across the region and even in the continent, there is a need to fortify environmental policies and regulations. This is by making sure that environmental laws are up to date, relevant and enforceable. Existing protected areas, including National Parks and forest reserves, must be supported, especially in the areas of administration, protection, and research. More should be created if need be. We are also making a case that oil companies and other interests in the extractive industry should be taxed to provide funds to manage the National Parks and protected areas in their areas of operation.

Crude and outmoded agricultural practices must be jettisoned. Agriculture, including fishing, must be made justifiable. Biodiversity conservation must be integrated into development planning. This will ensure sustainability. It is important that environmental education and awareness is taken seriously to minimize the negative impact of human activities on the environment. The natural environment doesn’t necessarily recognize political boundaries. This is why it is imperative that international partnerships for conservation be strengthened, especially in the areas of funding, expertise and knowledge management and sharing as well as transboundary conservation initiatives.

Let it be known that biodiversity conservation guarantees a great future for science, humanity, and socioeconomic development.

Let it be known that biodiversity conservation guarantees a great future for science, humanity, and socioeconomic development. It provides opportunities for poverty reduction, food security, and alternative medicine and also widens options for resilience-building and reinforcement of adaptive capacity with regard to climate change.

Paddy Ezeala

Editor-in-Chief

paddyezeala@developmentagenda.com.ng