Economic inequality and biodiversity loss in eriti community forest wetlands, Ogun State, Nigeria

Resumo

The study was carried out in Eriti Community Forest, Obafemi Owode local government, Ogun State, Nigeria to determine the relationship between economic inequality and biodiversity loss in the community. The instrument of data collection was questionnaire and simple random sampling was adopted as sampling method. A total of 75 respondents were selected and questionnaire administered with 100% valid rate of return. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Also, poverty line was determined with Income Level Approach and asset aquisition while multiple use benefits of the forest was determined with Combined Benefit Approach. The result showed that majority (74.7%) of the respondents were male and (25.3%) were female. Age distribution shows age bracket (41-50) years having the highest number of respondents (42.7%) while (60-70) years had the least (1.3%). On marital status, majority of the respondents were married (83%). On household size, the percentage of the respondents with the family size of 5-8 members recorded the highest (64%) while family size of above 9 had the least (1.3). Educationally, respondents with primary education were the highest (60.7%) while tertiary education had the least (1.3%). Poverty line was determined to be ₦141,083 or $882 equivalent at ₦160=$1. Consequently, 67% of the respondents were estimated to be poor. In view of this, the local community relied on the community forest and exploit various forest products for additional income which leads to biodiversity loss. The study recommends poverty reduction effort that requires a well articulated policy measures that will ensure that beneficiaries are not only well targeted but sensitized and fully mobilized to know the importance of natural resources to the environment as well as in the economic development of the state and country.