ABSTRACT
The study of assessment of deforestation in Obudu Plateau and its environs was carried out on the Obudu Plateau in Cross River State Nigeria via interviews and questionnaires which were shared among the villagers. The questionnaires were divided into three categories including effect of farming system on deforestation in Obudu plateau. The questionnaires were analyzed using t-test. The analysis established significant impact of effect of farming on deforestation with a significant level of (P<0.05). The hypothesis on the effect of population towards deforestation also established a significant level of (P<0.05). And lastly the analysis established a significant impact (P<0.05). All the null hypotheses were therefore accepted while the alternative hypothesis were rejected.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE i
CERTIFICATION ii
DEDICATION iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iv
ABSTRACT vi
TABLE OF CONTENTS vi
LIST OF TABLES vii
LIST OF FIGURES ix
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background of Study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 5
1.3 Justification of the Research 6
1.4 Aim and Objective 4
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 8
CHAPTER THREE 21
3.1 Description of the Study Area 21
3.1.1 Location 21
3.1.2 Climate 23
3.1.3 Vegetation 23
3.1.4 Human Activities 24
3.1.5 Sampling Sites 24
3.2 Field Studies 25
3.2.1 Sampling Regime 25
3.2.2 Data Collection 26
3.2.4 Research Questions 26
3.3 Bureau Studies 26
3.3.1 Data Collection 26
3.3.2 Research hypotheses 27
3.3.3 Statistical Analysis 28
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 29
4.1 Effect of farming activities on deforestation 29
4.2 Effect of urbanization on deforestation 31
4.3 Effect of population on deforestation 33
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 36
5.1 Discussion 36
5.2 Summary and Conclusion 38
REFERENCES 39
APPENDIX 43
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
Forests form an important part of any country due to their ecological and economic roles. Forest resources are often used as sources of fuel which is used for cooking, food as various animals and herbal products are found in forests. Forest resources are also used for housing and furniture as wood gotten for urban development is found in forests. Forests are usually located in rural areas and as such rural dwellers often depend on forest resources for their survival. In agriculture, forests are used to prevent erosion and ensure sustainable land use in Nigeria. Forests through the forestry sector provide a value chain that begins from the raw material to intermediate as well as finished goods with use both domestically and internationally. Forests have gone beyond being a source for timber production and its biodiversity underpins a wide range of goods and services for human well-being. Globally, deforestation has become an environmental menace that threatens to undermine the benefits of forests worldwide. The steady but continuous clearing of forests has become a problem that bothers governments and national planners not only in Nigeria but the world at large.