POPULATION DYNAMICS AND THE QUEST FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IN UGEP COMMUNITY, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

This study examined the relationship between population dynamics and environmental sustainability in Ugep Community, Cross River State, Nigeria. The study investigated how rapid population growth and urbanization have contributed to environmental degradation, including habitat loss, biodiversity decline, poor waste management, water pollution, and land degradation. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were obtained from 200 respondents through structured questionnaires and secondary environmental sources. Descriptive statistics comprising frequency and percentage were used to analyze the research objectives, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to test the hypothesis. Findings revealed that 73.5% of respondents perceived population growth as having a high or very high impact on environmental sustainability. Deforestation and habitat loss (29.0%) emerged as the most significant environmental challenge, followed by poor waste management (26.0%). Furthermore, rapid urbanization (33.5%) and population increase (27.5%) were identified as the major causes of environmental degradation. The ANOVA result showed a significant effect of population growth on environmental sustainability (F = 8.72, p = 0.000 < 0.05). The study concludes that population pressure is a major driver of environmental degradation in Ugep and recommends sustainable urban planning, environmental education, stronger environmental regulations, and community-based conservation initiatives.