Impact of Deforestation and Forest Degradation on Ecosystem Services in SouthernGuinea Savannah Agro-ecological Zones, Taraba State Nigeria

Deforestation and forest degradation remain major threats to ecosystem services in the Southern Guinea Savannah agro-ecological zones of Taraba State, Nigeria. This study assessed the temporal dynamics of biomass, carbon sequestration, and vegetation health using Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 2004, 2014, and 2024. Remote sensing analysis combined with statistical techniques, including one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, correlation, and regression, was employed to quantify ecosystem service changes and their significance. Results revealed a temporary improvement in biomass (33.95 t/ha in 2004 to 39.79 t/ha in 2014), carbon sequestration (16.98 tC/ha to 19.89 tC/ha), and NDVI (0.426 to 0.464), reflecting localized regeneration. However, by 2024, all indicators declined sharply (biomass = 32.39 t/ha; carbon = 16.20 tC/ha; NDVI = 0.414), reverting to baseline levels. ANOVA confirmed these temporal shifts as statistically significant (p < 0.001), while regression and scatter plot analyses showed a weakening predictive relationship between NDVI and ecosystem services due to increasing landscape heterogeneity and degradation. The findings demonstrate a cycle of short-term recovery followed by severe decline, underscoring the vulnerability of ecosystem services to unsustainable land-use practices. Sustainable forest management, afforestation, and community-based conservation are urgently needed to safeguard ecological resilience and maintain ecosystem service provision.