ASSESSMENT OF THE INFLUENCE OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES ON BIODIVERSITY CONSERVAION: A CASE STUDY OF GASHAKA GUMTI NATIONAL PARK, GASHAKA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, TARABA STATE, NIGERIN

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the influence of human activities on biodiversity conservation in Mayo Selbe range of Gashaka Gumti National Park, Gashaka Local Government Area. Both Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection were used. Data was collected through the use of closed ended questionnaires, Additionally, the study also employed the use of descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation distribution tables to present the data. The sample size of the study was 133 obtained from the target population of 200 respondents from the study areas. The study found out that males were the most individuals involved in various human activities on the environment with 74%. The most human activities on the environment that affect biodiversity are illegal hunting which had the responses rate of 86 respondents representing (89.6%), illegal logging 75 (78.1%), follows by over population and poverty 72 (75%), livestock ranching and over grazing 71 (73.9%), bush burning 69 (71.9%), agricultural activities with 68 respondents (70.8%), biodiversity loss 68 (70.8%), pollution 56 (58.3%), soil erosion 66 (68.7%), over poaching, 60 (62.5%). The finding also revealed that reduction of fauna and flora species were the major effects of human activities on biodiversity which had 62 respondents representing (64.6%), follows by reduction in revenue generation 56 (58.4%), reduction in management practices 55 (56.3%), wildlife extinction and habitat loss 54 (54.4%), degradation of the environment 39 (40.6), global warming and climate change 26 (27.1%). This indicated that biodiversity loss is experienced in the study area due to the various human activities on the environment. According to community the responses of the local communities, shows that stopping deforestation and increase afforestation, education and awareness is the possible control measure in managing the effects of human activities on biodiversity was agreed by 80 respondents (83.3%) and 74 respondents representing (78.1%), follows by protection of species and habitat 70 (72.9%), stop over-exploitation of resources 85 (88.5%), prevention of over-hunting and over-fishing 71 (74%), government restricting policies 62 (64.6%), prevention of pollution 70 (72.9%). Unsurprisingly, the finding also revealed that the wildlife management is major issues facing the study area with 75 respondents representing (78.2%), follows by transportation troubles with 70 (72.9%), water issues 63 (65.5%) visitor experience and inadequate guard 61 (63.5%), air/water pollution 54 (56.3%), waste management 47 (49%), climate change/global warming had 75 (78.1%), and the least was found in foreign invaders and invasive species which has (34.4%) and (26%) respectively