Ecosystem Distress Syndrome (EDS) and its Impacts across Sokoto State, Northwestern Nigeria: A Geospatial Analysis

Ecosystem Distress Syndrome (EDS) signifies a situation in which a given ecosystem becomes so stressed, highly degraded and incapable to sustain economic activities. This is because, its ability to supply the essential goods and services necessary for human livelihood and economic development is impaired. This state of the ecosystem poses a serious challenge to the livelihoods and sustainable development across Sokoto State, Northwestern Nigeria. However, EDS in this region proceeds gradually and often unnoticed unless conscious efforts are made towards monitoring and analysis of this phenomenon. This could prove difficult using traditional land survey methods particularly over a large spatial and long temporal extents. This research utilised integrated approaches including remotely sensed data (MODIS-NDVI), geospatial techniques and other qualitative approaches to analyse the trend of EDS and its impacts across the state. This is with a view of providing evidence-based information to the policy makers for effective policies and programmes aimed at addressing the menace of EDS in the state for improved livelihood and sustainable development. The result indicates an increasing trend of EDS which is manifested in many forms such as loss of fertile agricultural and grazing lands, increasing land degradations, increasing water scarcity among others. These in many cases leads to conflicts over land and its resources and migrations. Preventive and restorative strategies such as sustainable land and water management practices and alternative means of livelihoods that are more ecosystem friendly among others are suggested as a remedy to these challenges.