ECOLOGICAL EFFECT OF DEFORESTATION IN FOREST RESERVE: A CASE STUDY OF MOKWA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Forest is an important resource for maintaining balance environment. Given the population pressure on forest resources in reserved forest, such as shifting cultivation, overgrazing and felling of trees, forest resources have been depleted to a great extent resulting in soil erosion, flooding and other environmental hazards. It is clear that destruction of forest is destruction of soil ecosystem, plants and communities leading to severe environmental consequences. This study was undertaken to determine ecological effect of deforestation on forest resources and environmental implications on vegetation of Mokwa forest reserve. Data were collected using structured questionnaire and reconnaissance survey. Seven communities were selected around the forest reserve namely Bokani 1, Bokani 2, Bokani Sabo, Ezhi, Takuma, Kpaki and Kudu. A total of 392 questionnaires were administered in the seven communities based on the proportion of their population from the projected 2015 population. Data were collected on cutting of trees, reason for deforestation and effect of deforestation on the environment. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study showed that major causes of deforestation are cutting of trees for firewood (47%) and crop cultivation (25%) which resulted into soil erosion. The findings also revealed consequences of deforestation in the area to include loss of soil fertility (36.5%), loss of forest products (35.5%), loss of species diversity (14.5%) and accumulation of carbon dioxide (6.1%) respectively. Hence, policy makers and stakeholders need to adopt policies that will discourage deforestation by inhabitants through afforestation, reforestation, tree husbandry and planting in the areas, as well as sustainable empowerment programme to boost livelihood of the rural populace in order to reduce over dependence on the forest reserve.