Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation: A Survey of Socioeconomic Activities around Pandam Game Reserve, Plateau State - Nigeria

S.A Da’An,M Jidangkat,A.A Chaskda,G.S Mwansat

doi:10.4314/jasem.v24i6.6

Abstract

This research surveyed some socio-economic activities of communities around Pandam Game Reserve (PGR) central Nigeria to determine their implications for biodiversity Conservation in PGR. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and field observations. Results showed a 100% response to questionnaires administered. Eighty three percent (83%) of the respondents were males while 17% were females. Eighty percent (80%) attended at least primary school level of education while 20% had no form of formal education. Prominent among occupation of respondents was farming with 40% and the occupation of respondents with list response was hunting with 1%. Field observations showed the presence of the following human activities: logging, firewood collection, fishing, farm encroachment, cattle grazing and poaching. The implication of these socio-economic activities in PGR if left uncontrolled could result to biodiversity lost. A multi-stakeholder approach and participatory management of the reserve which will consider the socio-economic concerns of locals have been suggested as a critical component for building cooperation. These if properly exploited is believed will contribute substantially to biodiversity sustainability in PGR.  Keywords: Communities, Biodiversity, Conservation, Pandam Game Reserve

Highlights

Biodiversity rich areas are increasingly being surrounded by growing human populations with attendant pressures (Joppa, 2012) especially in developing countries (Mwanfupe, 1998)
Buffalo populations were reported to have crashed at the Yankari Game Reserve-Nigeria in 1981 as a result of infection from cattle grazing in the Reserve (Mohammed et al, 2010)
Data collection: Data on socio-economic activities of people living in surrounding communities ware collected using structured questionnaires

Summary

Introduction

Biodiversity rich areas are increasingly being surrounded by growing human populations with attendant pressures (Joppa, 2012) especially in developing countries (Mwanfupe, 1998). Excessive anthropogenic activities such as poaching, livestock herding, fuel wood collection, farm encroachment, logging and bush burning causes distortion in the equilibrium of ecosystems (Connell and Slatyer 1977, Pickett et al, 1992, Mathisen et al, 2012). Livestock grazing has been identified as a major driver of ecosystem change and has been associated with significant declines in various bird species in Britain and worldwide (Vickery et al, 2001; Evans et al, 2006). Investigated some socio-economic activities of people living in surrounding communities of PGR in relation to observed human activities in parts of PGR near these communities

Methods

Results

Conclusion