ASSESSMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF CHARCOAL PRODUCTION ON DEFORESTATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN YEWA DIVISION, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Satellite image; Ecosystem services; Biomass production; natural forest; remote sensing.Abstract
Continuous production of charcoal has been exacerbating deforestation and forest degradation in the tropical forests of the developing countries, where alternative fuel sources are scarce. This study assessed the effects of the socio-economic characteristics associated with charcoal production, with a view to examine their effects on deforestation and the environmental degradation in Yewa division of Ogun State, Nigeria. Information were extracted using questionnaire administration. Landsat imagery of 2000 and 2020 that covered the study area were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square at P < 0.05. There was 17.59% reduction of forest cover and 18.50% increase of non-forest between 2000 and 2020. About 57% of respondents were male; about 45% were between 31 and 40 years. Most respondents (71.2%) were married and about 48% had primary education. About 42% of charcoal producers used traditional kiln techniques, while about 46% sourced their raw materials from free areas. Seventeen indigenous tree species from 14 families were utilized for charcoal production, with the Combretaceae family having the highest occurrence. About 60% of respondents preferred tree species from natural forests, while 40.2% favoured those from plantations. There was a significant relationship between educational status, occupation, experience, wood source, and type of wood utilized for charcoal production and deforestation and environmental degradation at P < 0.05. Most preferred tree species was Vitellaria paradoxa. Major significant challenges for charcoal production were tree scarcity, government interference, wildfires, and competition from saw millers. Environmental effects of earth kiln method of charcoal production were harsh weather due to increase in environment temperature and smoke from burning causing eye problems and air pollution. The study concluded that balancing the economic and livelihood needs of local people with the environmental sustainability of forest ecosystems is essential, as environmental degradation will directly affect their livelihoods.
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