Sort by
Harnessing Indigenous Knowledge for Effective Butterfly Conservation: Evidence from Community Engagement in the Ebo Forest Reserve, Littoral Region, Cameroon

Aim: This study investigates the role of indigenous knowledge in butterfly conservation within the Ebo Forest Reserve, Littoral Region, Cameroon. Pollinators, particularly butterflies, are critical for ecosystem health, yet they face significant declines due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. Methods: Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, local communities in Iboti and Lognanga were engaged to assess their knowledge, perceptions, and contributions to butterfly conservation. The research was conducted in communities adjacent to the Ebo Forest Reserve, Cameroon, between January and July 2024. The majority of the respondents (59%) were from the Iboti community, while 41% were from the Lognanga community. The survey included questions about ecological significance, perceived threats, and cultural associations related to butterflies. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and inferential statistics to evaluate the relationships between demographic factors and attitudes toward butterflies. Results: The study found that while community members possess a general awareness of butterfly presence, specific ecological knowledge, such as dietary preferences, is limited. A majority (68%) frequently observe butterflies, and 83% have noted recent population changes, with most perceiving stability in butterfly numbers. Despite high interest in conservation initiatives (81.9%), significant barriers exist, including limited resources and lack of awareness about conservation efforts. Conclusion: Local ecological knowledge should be integrated into conservation strategies, with emphasize on community-led initiatives to enhance butterfly conservation in the Ebo Forest Reserve. Recommendation: To enhance butterfly conservation efforts in the Ebo Forest Reserve, it is crucial to develop and implement community-led educational programs that focus on indigenous knowledge and ecological practices.

Open Access Just Published
Relevant
Assessing the Contributions of Nypa fruticans wumb in Climate Change Mitigation by Accounting for the Above Ground Carbon Stock within the Douala-Edea National Park, Littoral Region, Cameroon

Aim: Nypa fruticans Wurmb is a palm species found in mangrove ecosystems with moderate salt load which circumscribes well to the actual areas of its occurrence in the gradient from seawater habitats to inland sites. This study aimed at carrying out a baseline assessment of above ground carbon stock in stands of Nypa fruticans wurmb.
 Methods: Representative samples of seedlings, juveniles, adults and mature stands were harvested through a destructive sampling technique. These samples were air dried and further oven dried in the laboratory at 105°C until a constant mass was attained. The biomass was then converted to per carbon stock using the published carbon concentration of 0.5 for above-ground biomass.
 Results: Nypa fruticans wurmb has an average estimated carbon per mature frond of 0.77 kg, followed by the adult fronts with average estimated carbon per frond of 0.24 kg, the juvenile records an average carbon per juvenile frond of 0.11 kg and the seedlings with average estimated carbon per seedling frond of 0.02 kg.
 Conclusion: Nypa fruticans wurmb have a relatively small amount of biomass and carbon stock as compared to other woody mangrove species. 
 Recommendations: It is recommended that, carbon in the roots of this palm should be evaluated to complete the required information on this subject. The spread of this palm should be checked due to its negative impact on native mangroves and the indirect adverse effects it poses to climate change mitigation.

Open Access
Relevant
Geospatial Analysis of Oil Spill in the Selected Parts of the Niger Delta

Purpose: Oil pollution started as a cause of oil business in Nigeria that demonstrates political and economic undertone. Oil spills occurred during exploration, production and distribution of petroleum products, and created environmental impact. The nature of the business has indirect implicitness on the soil, water and the entire ecology as a whole. The aim of the paper was to analyse oil spill Geospatially and its objective was to discuss the causes, modelling and the sources of oil spill.
 Methodology: The materials used were cover ArcGIS 10.7, MS word, ENVI 4.5 and Landsat imagery of 2019 and the methodology involved image classification, vectorization, and spatial analysis.
 Findings: The study found out that illegal bunkering site are the causes of the spill, Asari-Toru reported 3, Delga 5 and Akulga 1. The study evaluated the impact level against thirty-four communities, Buguma, Tombia, Sama, Krakrama, Idama and Bille are placed under very high impacted state from (0.111m2 - 0.133m2). Following the stratification of the impacted result, Ido, Abalama, Opurobokokiri, Ifoko and Sangama are recorded against high area (0.083m2 -0.111m2). The mapping showed that the spread of oil spill cover 79416.180ha against 24.976% from the classification scheme.
 Conclusion: Satellite imageries have demonstrated the effectiveness of satellite-based mapping over the earth activity, especially oil pollution in the selected Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria.
 Recommendation: The study recommended that Oil bunkers should stop the bunkering, and oil companies should set up vigilante group to monitoring the network of pipelines.

Open Access
Relevant
Atmospheric Correction of Landsat Image

Purpose: The satellite imagery such as Landsat contains water vapour and gases that do interfere with analytical process to lower the result. The research focused on atmospheric corrected and un-corrected image on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index determination. The aim of the paper was atmospheric correction on satellite imagery and the objectives considered were to: (1) discuss the types of atmospheric correction (2) determine the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index using atmospheric corrected image (3) highlight the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index without atmospheric corrected image.
 Methodology: The following materials were used for the study, they are Landsat imagery, ArcGIS 10.7 and Idrisi 32 software. Remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), were factored in the process of Normalize Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) determination using bands 4 and 3. Additive rescaling formular was used to extract the temperature values. Analysis of variance was also conducted on the two NDVIs and presented in regression table.
 Findings: The study found that atmospheric corrected NDVI started from 0.02 to 1.0 on the scale of measurement while uncorrected NDVI ranges from <61.00 to 201.
 Conclusion: The study conclude that corrected satellite imagery gave a good reflectance of the earth features than uncorrected image.
 Recommendation: The study recommend that for image studies to be carried out, there should be an atmospheric correction to have a precise result.

Open Access
Relevant
An Assessment of the Impact of Round Wood Collection on Deforestation in Benue State, Nigeria

Purpose: The high cost of alternative sources of household energy and steel in Nigeria is aggravating the dependence on forest frontiers in search of forest wood for construction, charcoal production, and fuel wood gathering for heating. This necessitates the study to access the impact of Round Wood Collection (proxies as Tree Logging, Charcoal Production, and Fuel Wood Collection) on Deforestation in Benue State, Nigeria.
 Methodology: A survey design research was used for the study with the instrument of a structured questionnaire administered to 400 respondents determined by Taro Yamane’s (1967) sampling formula and selected through two-stage sampling techniques across nine (9) Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Benue State. The data elicited from the field was analyzed through descriptive statistics and a regression with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) 23.
 Findings: The result showed a significant positive relationship between Round Wood Collection (RWC) and Deforestation (DEF) in Benue State, implying that DEF in Benue State will increase significantly by 24.4%, 44.7%, and 28.4% as a result of a percent change in the rate of Tree Logging, Charcoal Production, and Fuel Wood Collection respectively in the state.
 Conclusion: The study concludes that RWC impacts negatively on the forests and vegetation cover in Benue State which has a negative ripple effect on biodiversity, the ozone layer, ecosystem functioning, and livelihoods of forest fringe communities.
 Recommendation: The study recommends that the Benue State government should increase funding to the State Department of Forestry and employ adequate forest personnel to enhance forest management and revenue yields from the forests.

Relevant
Extreme Rainfall Forecast and Flood Prediction in Equatorial Zone of West Africa: Port Harcourt, Nigeria in Focus

Purpose: Rainfall is the most important element of climate in the tropics, it dictate human outdoor activities, recharge underground water and streams, dictate agricultural calendar and many cultural activities. More recently the incidence of extreme rainfall leading to urban flood in the city of Port Harcourt is increasingly becoming a looming disaster. Despite the importance of rainfall in the tropic, the fact that it varies significantly is worrisome to both scholars and the stakeholders. This study focused on extreme rainfall forecast and flood prediction in equatorial zone of West Africa especially in a humid tropic environment like Port Harcourt.
 Methodology: Statistical Time Series Model performed very well in rainfall forecast, but did better in flood prediction. Secondary data extracted from Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Oshodi, Lagos form 100/3 of the agency record servers as main source of data for this work. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used, among which are mean, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation; Pearson product moment correlation and structural time series model.
 Findings: The study discovered that rainfall distribution has reduced over the years, besides the dry spell in the month of August has deduced gradually but steadily over the years. It also shown that flood cannot occur in the first 6 months of the year. Rainfall distribution varies significantly over the climatic period.
 Conclusion: There is a significant variation in rainfall distribution over Port Harcourt. August dry spell is steadily disappearing, giving raise to excessive run-off that triggers flood during late September to October. Flood will likely occur whenever the forecasted rainfall exceeds the generated level output during the seasonal peak. Structural Time Series Model performed well in flood prediction than in rainfall forecast.
 Recommendations: Extreme RF forecast by the authorities should be taken serious by inhabitants and warning be given and adhered to by residences. Also, structural time series model should be used for long time forecast since it performed very well, but this should be done with large data.

Relevant
Public Engagement in Environmental Conservation in the Kayunga Area of Uganda and how it is influenced by Public Access to Information

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate environmental conservation in Kayunga District with an aim of establishing the contribution of the Rio Summit of 1992 and the implementation of subsequent international environmental conventions to Kayunga District’s environmental conservation.
 Methodology: The study used descriptive survey design. It employed both primary and secondary methods of data collection. Oral interviews and county reports provide important sources of primary data. Data from secondary sources were gathered mainly from written works and internet materials.
 Findings: The findings of this study revealed the Rio Summit of 1992 and the subsequent international environmental conventions have shaped environmental conservation mechanisms in Kayunga District.
 Conclusion: The study concluded that environmental awareness programs cut across all sectors of society in Kayunga District.
 Recommendation: The study recommended that the departments involved in environmental conservation should therefore team up and develop a more structured environmental education programme and jointly coordinate the programme through a committee to make valuable use of the calendar environmental celebration days.

Open Access
Relevant
Challenges to Environmental Education in Senior High Schools in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate barriers hindering successful Environmental Education implementation in Kumasi sub- region in Ghana.
 Methodology: The descriptive survey design was used as it came in handy in describing the existing conditions. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16 computer package. The findings of the study were presented in tables.
 Findings: The findings of this study revealed a positive relationship between independent and dependent variables. Specifically, it was noted that there was a positive correlation between teacher attitude, r (.45), student attitude, r (.53), administration support, r (.62) and curriculum design, r (.58) and implementation of Environmental education .
 Conclusion: The study concluded that teacher attitude, student attitude, administration support and curriculum design were barriers to implementation of environmental education in public day senior high schools in Kumasi sub- region.
 Recommendations: The study recommended the strengthening and clarity of policy guidelines towards environmental education and enhancement of mechanisms to enable administration support. The study also recommend training and empowerment of teachers in matters related to environmental education.

Open Access
Relevant