AN ASSESSMENT OF VEGETATION CHANGE AND PERCEIVED DRIVERS IN ESSIEN UDIM LGA OF AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined vegetation change and the perceived drivers in Essien Udim LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Using GIS and remote sensing techniques, land use / land cover inventory was carried to show changes that have taken place in vegetation between two time periods – 1987 and 2013. Data on human activities including information on factors responsible for increased human activities; perceived impact of human activities on vegetation; and, the reasons for engaging in the various human activities in the study area, were all obtained with the help of structured questionnaires. The results have shown that while secondary forests and land under fallow are decreasing, that of farmlands and built up areas are increasing in the study area. While the highest negative change of 40.37% was in bush under fallow, that of built up areas showed the highest positive change of 42.26%. The least negative change was that of secondary forest with 9.63% while the least positive change was farmland with 7.74%. Crop farming with a weight of 145.08 is ranked number 1 hence considered the most important human activity in the study area. In terms of impact on vegetation change, crop farming is equally ranked number 1. Timber harvesting ranked number 2 in terms of its importance as human activity, however ranks number 9 when considering its impact on vegetation change. Animal Rearing and Housing both rank number 3 and 4 in human activity and impact on vegetation change. Road construction came in at number 5 as a human activity but became the 2nd most important factor when impact on vegetation change is considered. Many reasons were given o engaging in the various human activities. For an example, crop farming was carried out for food and satisfaction of home need.

There are diverse human activities in Essien Udim Local Government Area and each of them exerts its influence on the vegetation directly or indirectly. The study has revealed farming as the most dominant human activity causing changes in vegetation of the area over time. This is confirmed by the land use change analysis that has revealed that while secondary forests and land under fallow are decreasing, that of farmlands and built up areas are increasing in the study area. The study has revealed the trend in vegetation change that will enable stakeholders formulate policies for sustainable development.