Oil and Gas Pipeline Construction-Induced Forest Fragmentation and Biodiversity Loss in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Ikechukwu O Agbagwa,Benjamin C Ndukwu

doi:10.4236/nr.2014.512061

Abstract

The impacts of oil and gas pipeline construction on the forest and biodiversity in parts of the Niger Delta was investigated. This was achieved by studying the construction activities and operational phases of two pipelines with cumulative length of 165 km vis-à-vis the biodiversity of the affected area. The study involved field sampling along the RoWs to inventorize the fauna and flora, visual assessments and interview with locals. It was observed that the pipelines traversed moist lowland/freshwater swamp and mangrove forests, and barrier islands with approximately 4,950,000 m2 (equivalent of 495 hectares) of forest cleared and 9,642,000 trees killed to realize the pipelines. A total of 219 plant species in 66 families and 125 different fauna species from 64 families were recorded in these areas. Three out of the 4 recorded species of Meliaceae were threatened based on IUCN Conservation Status. Also based on IUCN Conservation Status, 20 mammals, including Pan troglodytes, Cercopithecus erythrogaster and Trichechus senegalensis, 7 birds, 2 reptiles and 1 amphibian were within threatened group. The results showed that the study area had witnessed colossal loss of biodiversity due to habitat displacement, forest fragmentation and deforestation, and escalated exploitation of species. The study identified the most affected biodiversity, and proffered measures to mitigate such occurrences.

Highlights

The Niger Delta covers an area of approximately 50,000 km2 between Latitudes 4 ̊0'0''N and 8 ̊0'0''N, and Longitudes 5 ̊0'0''E and 7 ̊0'0''E [1] (Figure 1)
Some of the threatened species, which have been previously reported in IUCN red list are the pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis), manatees (Trichechus senegalensis), maritime hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibious), Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), slender nosed crocodile (Crocodylus cataphractus) and dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) [3] [4]
The studies were tailored to capture two broad categories of oil and gas pipeline impacts on biodiversity viz: (i) impacts associated with pipeline construction and (ii) impacts associated with the operational phase of pipeline facilities

Summary

Introduction

The Niger Delta covers an area of approximately 50,000 km between Latitudes 4 ̊0'0''N and 8 ̊0'0''N, and Longitudes 5 ̊0'0''E and 7 ̊0'0''E [1] (Figure 1) It is within two meters above sea level [2] and extends over four ecological zones: coastal barrier islands, brackish/saline water mangrove swamps, freshwater swamp forests (permanent and seasonal), and dry upper plain lowland rain forests [3]. The hydrological boundaries between these ecological zones are imperceptible; so are some of the forest zones the fringing of the mangrove forest and freshwater swamp forest It is the largest wetland in Africa with rich biological diversity [1] [4]-[8]. Ohimain [5] reported that such wildlife species as the Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis), African palm nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis), fire-footed squirrel (Funisciurus pyrropus), Hammerkop (Scopus umbretta), African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), Sclater’s guenon (Cercopithecus sclateri), sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekei), white throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster), which occurred in the area required conservation

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion