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IMPACT OF URBAN ENCROACHMENT ON WETLANDS IN PORTHARCOURT METROPOLIS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

 Wetlands are defined as areas of marsh, fen, peat land or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters (RCS,

2007). In addition, they „may incorporate riparian and coastal zones adjacent to the wetlands, and islands or bodies of marine water deeper than six meters at low tide lying within the wetland (RCS, 2007). Wetland therefore is “an ecosystem that arises when inundation by water produces soils dominated by anaerobic processes, which in turn, forces the biota, particularly rooted plants, to adapt to flooding” (Keddy, 2010). Wetland ecosystems are among the most important in the world, providing a diverse range of ecosystem services vital to human well-being (Barbier et al., 1997; RCS, 2007). They gave rise to the first modern global nature- conservation convention (Matthews, 1993) and remain the only single group of ecosystems with their own International Convention (Turner et al. 2000; Ramsar, 2010). 

  Globally, wetlands are estimated to cover 5–10% of the earth‟s terrestrial surface (Mitsch and Gosselink, 2007; RCS, 2007), some 1,280 million hectares, although, it is believed that this is an underestimate (MEA 2005). Some estimates put the global loss of wetlands at about 50% (Barbier, 1994; Rijsberman and Silva, 2006; ICSU et al., 2008). However, this is speculative, being based on extrapolation of wetland loss during the twentieth century of some types of wetland in the areas that have been best documented including North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand (MEA, 2005). Primarily, the factor that distinguishes wetlands from other land forms or other water bodies is the characteristic vegetation that is adapted to its unique soil conditions: wetland ecosystems consist primarily of hydro soil, which supports aquatic plants (Butlers et al, 2010; Ramsar, 2011). The water found in wetlands can be salt water, fresh water, or brackish (Ramsar, 2011). Main wetland types include swamps, marshes, bog and fens (Keddy, 2011). Wetlands can be considered the most biologically diverse of all ecosystems, serving as a home to a wide range of plant and animal life (Ramsar, 2011). Wetlands occur naturally on every continent except Antarctica (USEPA, 2011). They can also be constructed artificially as a water management tool, which may play a role in the developing field of water-sensitive urban design.  The largest wetlands in the world include the Amazon River basin and the west Siberian plain (Fraser and Keddy, 2005). The Niger delta is a wetland of about 76,000sq km and has the largest mangrove forest in Africa (11,134 sq km) and the third largest in the world (Spalding et al, 1997).

 Wetland ecosystems are part of our natural wealth. At a world wide scale, they provide us with services worth trillions of US dollars every year-entirely free of charge-making a vital contribution to human health and well-being. With the global population set to increase to nine billion by 2050, increasing pressure on water resources and the threats posed by climate change, the need to maximize these benefits has never been greater or more urgent (Ramsar, 2011). Numerous factors contributed to the degradation of natural wetlands in Nigeria especially in the Niger Delta region. The most important among them were land demand by a large population, a lack of understanding of wetland values, a misguided policy, a lack of environmental laws and regulations, and water diversion needed because of rapid economic growth (Ohimain et al., 2002). 

  Urban development in wetland ecosystems for agriculture, human settlement and industrial development is one of the biggest threats to wetland conservation and management. Management of urban development in wetland ecosystem aims to conserve major services and restore natural resources while meeting the socio-economic, political and cultural needs of current and future generation (Brussard et al., 1998; and Szaro et al., 1999). Urbanization which is the conversion of land into uses associated with growing population and economy has been recognized as having a world – wide trend. More than 50% of the world‟s population currently resides in urban settlements. The shift to urban living is expected to continue at the rates of 1.6% per annum at a global scale. The highest urbanization rates were expected in developing and least developed countries (UN-Habitat, 2010) while 95% of the net increase in global population would be in cities of the developing world (Zhang et al., 2008) of which Port Harcourt is one. As part of this trend, the coastal zones are known to be home to nearly 75% of the global population (Asangwe, 2006).  

 Urbanization is a major cause of loss of coastal wetlands. Urbanization impacts wetlands in numerous direct and indirect ways. For example, construction reportedly impacts wetlands by causing direct habitat loss, suspended solids additions, hydrologic changes and altered water quality. Indirect impacts include changes in hydrology and sedimentations which substantially alter wetlands. It also exerts significant influences on the structure and function of coastal wetlands, mainly through modifying the hydrological and sedimentation regimes, and the dynamics of nutrients and chemical pollutants (Adedeji et al., 2010). Natural coastal wetlands are characterized by a hydrological regime comprising concentrated flow to estuarine and coastal areas during flood events, and diffused discharge into groundwater and waterways during the non- flood periods.

 There has been a renewed focus on the study of urban systems in the last few years, as urbanization remains a major development challenge exerting awesome pressure on social, economic and environmental sustainability (Pickett et al., 2001). Cohen (2004) is of the view that in developing countries, urbanization is associated with natural population growth, rural– urban migration, convergence in rural and urban lifestyles, and the economic and political processes associated with globalization. Though urban areas currently account for about 3% of the Earth‟s surface, the ecological footprint associated with urban expansion has important environmental consequences especially on wetland ecosystems. According to Ehrenfeld and Schneider (1991), wetlands commonly occur in human-dominated landscapes such as agricultural and urban regions. Studies have shown that negative effect on wetland species and ecosystem functioning can be expected in such areas due to human activities (Ehrenfeld, and Schneider, 1991; Morris, 1991). 

 In the past, wetlands have been regarded as “wasteland”, which harbor disease vectors (Kenyan Wetland Forum, 2013). This has led to large scale drainage and conversion for alternative uses without regard to ecological and socio-economic values. Wetland ecosystem is among the most productive ecosystems due to their functions and attributes (Kenyan, wetland Forum, 2013). Humankind benefits from a multitude of resources and processes that are supplied by wetland ecosystem. Collectively, these benefits are known as “ecosystem services and include products like clean drinking water and processes such as the decomposition of wastes. Scientists and environmentalists have discussed ecosystem services for decades; these services were popularized and their definitions formalized by the UNITED NATION 2005 MILLENNIUM ECOSYTEM ASSESSMENT (M.A.), a four-year intensive study involving more than 1,300 Scientists World- Wide (M.A., 2005). They group ecosystem services into four broad categories. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) report (2005), define ecosystem services as benefit people obtain from the ecosystem service and distinguishes four categories of the ecosystem services: they are provisioning service, such as the production of food and water;

“product obtained from ecosystem” are sea food and game, crops, wild food and spices, minerals and diatomite, pharmaceuticals, bio-chemicals and industrial products, energy, hydropower, biomass fuels. Regulating service include the control of climate and disease, “benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes such as carbon sequestration and climate regulation, waste decomposition and detoxification, purification of water and air, crop pollination, pest and disease control; supporting as in nutrient cycles and seed dispersal that are necessary for the production of all other ecosystem services”, such as nutrient dispersal and cycling, seed dispersal. Non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystem services are spiritual enrichment, cognitive development, reflection, recreation and aesthetic experiences, such as cultural, intellectual and spiritual experiences (including ecotourism and scientific discovery) (M.A., 2005).

 Wetland ecosystems are important natural habitat, which must be conserved (Williams, 1990).  They are associated with a diverse and complex array of direct and indirect uses. Direct uses include the use of the wetland for water supply and harvesting of wetland products such as fish and plants resources, while indirect benefits are derived from environmental functions such as flood water retention, ground water recharge/discharge, nutrient abatement etc. Human activities in the wetland themselves may be fairly related to alternations; they may also be caused by activities in the wetland watersheds and predominantly by agricultural ones i.e. crop and livestock‟s production (Zalidis et al., 1997). Changes in wetland area may significantly affect the ecosystem processes and services. Concern about changes in the size and quality of many of the world‟s wetlands ecosystem has been growing as more and more wetlands are being converted to agricultural or urban land use and by natural factors like drought (Ringrose et al., 1988; Gerakis and Kalburtji, 1998, Chopra et al., 2001).

 Despite their high productivity and provision of many benefits, wetlands ecosystems are still facing serious threats. These include inadequate or inappropriate human activities within the catchments and in the wetlands, lack of coordinated and holistic policy guideline, as well as climate change. The threats have induced changes that eroded the ecological and socio-economic values and services derived from the wetland (Ramsar, 2011). There is therefore an urgent need to efficiently manage urban development in wetland ecosystems to mitigate the threats and ensure ecological sustainability.

 Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) are now providing new tools for advanced ecosystem management. The collection of remotely sensed data facilitates the synoptic analyses of Earth – system function, patterning, and change at local, regional and global scales over time; such data also provide an important link between intensive, localized ecological research and regional, national and international conservation and management of biological diversity (Wilkie and Finn, 1996).

        Therefore, an attempt will be made in this study to map out the classes of land use/land cover of Port-Harcourt metropolis between 1984 and 2013 with a view to detecting the land consumption rate and the changes that have taken place in these classes, particularly, in the built-up areas and wetlands so as to predict possible changes that will take place in these classes within a period of 29 years using Remote Sensing data.

1.2        Statement of the Research Problem

 Man‟s relationship with his environment has always changed with time, depending on his understanding and knowledge of the physical environment. However, the natural environment is generally endowed with a variable quantity of resources within the space. Thus, man has come to regard his environment as a way of housing his needs and therefore, he always seeks a way of extracting the resources within it. Sadly, however, this always leads to the neglect of the environmental sustenance of a number of environmental stresses (Ezeaku et al., 2008; Jimoh et al., 2012). 

 The Port-Harcourt metropolis is partly situated on a wetland ecosystem. As a result of rapid population growth, urban migration and the failure of successive governments to manage urban growth, the Port Harcourt metropolis has expanded in an unplanned way which has led to acquisition of more lands in the wetland area. Port Harcourt wetland has suffered major encroachment in the recent past. A visit to the wetland reveals a lot of new activities, which signify recent massive encroachment. The activities include; residential and commercial buildings as well as car washing bays, among others. There is a significant reduction in the vegetation cover, and the wetland now experiences more visible instances of flooding than before during heavy rains. All these activities put a lot of pressure on the wetland, affect its ecological function and cause degradation. It is believed that these activities are a consequence of the increasing rate of development and urbanization in the Port Harcourt Metropolis. Though there is insufficient data at the present to link urbanization with encroachment on wetland, the size and biodiversity of unconverted portions of wetlands have drastically diminished, with some areas completely converted. In 2000, it was noted that 13% of the wetlands in Port Harcourt was severely degraded and by 2010, only 3.3% was remaining; even this remnant was being degraded (Nwankwoala, 2012; Wizor, 2012). 

 This uncontrolled urban expansion in an unsystematic manner has had serious repercussions on the environmental quality of many parts of the metropolis. Brody et al. (2007), submit that rising population density in coastal area is usually associated with greater amounts of impervious surfaces, alteration of watershed, coupled with diminished capacity of these systems to naturally hold surface runoff. Studies suggest that, like in many coastal cities of the world, the precise impacts of these human activities on coastal wetlands are poorly understood (James et al., 2007). In this case, the precise nature of these changes is largely unknown and unreported. Although Odunuga and Oyebande (2007), Taiwo and Areola (2009) have provided useful insight into wetland conversion in parts of the Lagos coastal area, a comprehensive study which assessed quantitatively the spatial changes in the wetlands of Lagos/Lekki Lagoons and their consequences is yet to be reported.

 Almost every type of wetland has been studied with satellite imagery. But only few of these studies have been reported in a developing country like Nigeria (Campbell, 1996; Li et al., 2005; Neale et al., 2007; Fabona et al., 2007; Jenson, 2007; De rock et al., 2008; Taiwo et al., 2009; Olaleye et al., 2009; Tijani et al., 2011; Klemas, 2011). In some studies, multi-temporal imageries often aided classification of wetlands as well as their separation from other land cover classes. Included in the types of wetland studied with remote sensing are marshes, swamps, Lagoons, coastal tidal marshes, mangroves and other coastal wetlands, bogs and fens, inland fresh water marshes, forested wetlands or swamps, open water areas, wet meadows and submerged aquatic vegetation (Obiefuna et al., 2013). 

 Scientific studies fault the use of natural resource management rather than managing whole ecosystem when dealing with a particular resource for human use (Kellert et al., 2000). With the main objective of sustainability for future generations, ecosystems manage strive to balance natural resources exploitation and conservation over a long time (Ascher, 2001). In the last few years, there has been an unprecedented rate of urbanization in the Port-Harcourt metropolis due to the closure of the Western Division of Shell Petroleum Development Company leading to the relocation of their oil facilities to Port-Harcourt and insurgency by the Boko Haram sect in the North. The large influx of industries has led to urban growth and expansion into wetland because of need for land and new housing (Obinna, Owei and Mark, 2010).    Port Harcourt which is among the largest cities in Sub-Saharan Africa, is in fact the largest city in the Niger Delta Region. The current demographical estimate (NPC, 2006) of the population of the Port Harcourt urban area (urban agglomeration) is 1, 000, 908, covering an area of approximately 371 square kilometers for a density of 2695 per square km. Indeed, the struggle for land has led to massive destruction of wetland ecosystem for developmental purposes (Obinna, Owei and Mark, 2010). Wetland reclamation, Population increase, industrialization and urbanization resulted in an increased demand for space for housing and other infrastructure.  Multinational companies, particularly those in the oil and gas industry, also reclaim wetland for their use (Etuonovbe, 2007).

  Port-Harcourt wetlands have been variously affected by conversion to developmental uses such as residential and commercial purposes. This is clearly seen in such areas as Iwofe/UOE, Marine Base, Mgbuoba, Reclamation Road, Rukpokwu, Choba, Rumuokwurushi, Eneka, GRA Phase 1-3, Eagles Island, Elioparanwo and Woji   etc. Wetlands along Marine Base and Reclamation Road are mostly devastated and degraded by continuous sand filling and conversion for uses that bring economic as against the idea of conserving the wetlands. The institutional/legal frame works such as the Nigerian urban regional planning law as amended, Decree No. 18 of 1999, FEPA, Decree No.86 of 1992, EIA Act of 1992 and NESREA Act no.25, 2007 have not addressed the issue of urbanization and loss of wetland in the Port-Harcourt metropolis. Hitherto, none of the studies has provided the necessary information needed for urbanization and loss of wetland in Port Harcourt. Therefore, there is need to close this yawning gap which forms the problem of this research. There is also a clear need for further research and improvement on this issue.

1.3       Aim and Objectives of the Study

 The aim of this study is to examine urbanization and loss of wetland in Port-Harcourt metropolis. This will be achieved through some objectives, namely to:

1. Identify types, size and nature of wetland ecosystem in the Port-Harcourt metropolis.
2. Identify land use and land cover classes in the wetland ecosystem of the Port Harcourt metropolis.
3. Identify the causes of land use and land cover changes in the wetland ecosystem of the Port Harcourt Metropolis. 
4. Forecast the future pattern of land use and land cover change in the wetland ecosystem of the Port Harcourt metropolis.

1.4       THE STUDY AREA

1.4.1      Location

                  Geographically, the Port-Harcourt metropolis is positioned between Latitudes 4^◦ 45^′ N,

and 4^◦ 55^′ N and Longitudes 6^◦ 55^′ E and 7^◦ 05^′ E. Port-Harcourt metropolis is located at about 25 km from the Atlantic Ocean and it is situated between the Dockyard Creek/Bonny River and the Amadi Creek (Okoye, 1975; Oyegun and Adeyemo et al., 1999).  Port-Harcourt, originally known, as “Igwe-Ocha” was founded in 1913 by the British in an area traditionally inhabited by the Ikwerres. It was named after Lewis Viscount Harcourt, the then Secretary of State of Colonies. The main City of Port Harcourt is the Port-Harcourt City Local Government Area. It serves as the Headquarters of Rivers State (Alagoa and Derefaka, et al., 2002). Today, the PortHarcourt metropolis is made up of two Local Government Areas, namely Port-Harcourt L.G.A and Obio-Akpor LGA (See Figs 1 and 2). 

            Figure 1: Rivers State Showing Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor L.GA.

            Source:  Cartography and GIS, Dept. of Geography and Env. Mgt. UNIPORT (2014).

             Figure 2: Port Harcourt Metropolis

            Source:  Cartography and GIS, Dept of Geography and Env. Mgt. UNIPORT (2014).

1.4.2 Climate

 The Port-Harcourt metropolis features within a tropical monsoon climate of transitional zone of Koppen Af climatic types with prolonged and heavy rainy season and very short dry season months in the city. Only the months of December and January truly qualifies as dry season months in the city. The harmattan, which climatically influences many cities in West Africa, is less pronounced in Port-Harcourt. The heaviest precipitation in Port-Harcourt occurs between March and October (Oyegun and Adeyemo et al., 1999). The mean annual rainfall is put at 2,000mm (Ayoade, 1993). The Port-Harcourt metropolis usually has a temporary cessation of rain commonly known as “August Break” (a dry spell) that comes in between the middle of the rainy season. The area has an average monthly temperature above 27⁰C and there is adequate moisture in virtually all the months. 

 In the city, temperatures are relatively constant (high with a mean maximum of about 34^oC and a mean minimum of about 21⁰C); showing little variation throughout the course of the year,. Relative humidity over Port-Harcourt metropolis is over 80-90% during the rainy season as a result of the prevalence of warm moist air mass and high evaporation from the numerous creeks and rivers during this season. In January, depicting the dry season, relative humidity is reduced considerably to about 50-60% as a result of the impact of the drier tropical continental air mass (Inyang, 1975).

1.4.3 Relief and Drainage 

 The relief of the area is low-lying and the rivers are influenced by tidal fluctuation. The Port-Harcourt metropolis lies at an average altitude of about 12m above mean sea level. In terms of general surface features, the Port-Harcourt metropolis is very unique. The area falls within the coastal belt dominated by Low-Lying coastal plains which structurally belong to the sedimentary formation of the recent Niger Delta (Umeuduji and Aisuebeogun, 1999). It consists mainly of muddy deposit pushed out of the River Niger into a relatively tide-less salt sea. The PortHarcourt metropolis is drained by many rivers such as, Ntawogba, New Calaber, Amadi creek, Dockyard creek, Dick Fiberesima creek, Isaka River, Mini Apalugo, Elechi creek, Primose River, Mgbuodohia River, etc (See Fig. 3). Izeogu and Aisuebeogun (1989) viewed the beach ridge barrier islands as depositional land forms which receive fine coarse grained sands from the sea with elevation of just about 13m above sea level. Generally, the land surface slopes gently (3^o-5^o on the average) on a NW-SE direction. The Northern Quadrants of the region are characterized by gently rolling plains while swamp tidal basin and flats and sand bars predominate in the southern section of the area.  Although the region may be said to be essentially composed of gently rolling coastal plains or lowlands, the composite landform features can be more clearly discerned at the micro-relief level. Areola (1983), describes the drainage of Port-Harcourt as poor, essentially because the streams in the area are south-flowing streams, which are turbid during the wet season as a result of discharge of clay and silt into the drainage channel. In the dry season however, the discharge turbidity is highly reduced. The channels are subject to tidal influences and floods. In places where the mangrove swamp occurs, they are bordered on the land-ward side by firm sedimentary rock of coastal plain formation. The Bonny River begins its flow from the West towards the East before turning sharply to flow down to the South. Smaller rivers drain creeks in the southern part of Diobu (such as the Elechi Creek) as well as creeks which empty into the West-East reach of the Bonny River at its Northern bank. This Creek joins the trunk known as the Primose Creek, which links Bonny River with the New Calabar River (Umeuduji and Aisuebeogun et al., 1999). 

            Figure 3: Wetland/ Drainage of Port Harcourt Metropolis

            Source:  Cartography and GIS, Dept of Geography and Env. Mgt., UNIPORT (2014)

 The Abonnema River drains the Southern part of Diobu. Surface run-off from Rumuigbo area mainly empties into Mini Apalugbo stream, which flows Northeast-wards before joining the Woji River, which itself flows South-Easterly to Trans-Amadi industrial area, and then into the mangrove swamps near the Port Harcourt Zoological Garden. Virtually the whole of Rainbow Town which is drained by Elekahia River flows into Amadi Creek. Amadi Creek is also joined at the Western flank by the Ntawogba River which has a lengthy course of up to 9 km and virtually divides Port Harcourt built-up areas into two portions. The Ntawogba River drains Rumuokwuta, Ikwerre road, G.R.A. Phase I, II, III and IV and Amadi flats. With the Bonny River to the West and Amadi Creek to the East, Dockyard lies to the south of Port Harcourt Township and Borikiri; an area where it makes a unique network with swamps and several creeks including Isaka River and Dick Fiberesima Creek (Umeuduji and Aisuebeogun, 1999, Chiadikobi et al., 2011).      A close observation of the rivers and creeks in Port Harcourt and the surrounding area shows that the network pattern created does not easily fit the convectional, typical dendritic and trellised pattern of drainage. The entire area is criss-crossed by several rivers and creeks which empty into the Atlantic Ocean (Chiadikobi et al., 2011).   

1.4.4 Soil and Vegetation.

 The Port-Harcourt metropolis consists of Deltaic plain soils which are found in wetland and upland areas. The remnant wetland deltaic plain soil has sand (75%) with low clay content which increases down the subsoil. Surface soil colors are brown or very dark grayish brown. Surface soils are well drained having no mottles. The soils are strongly acid (pH 4.5). But acidity decreases down the profile. Organic matter content is low (2.5%). The carbon to nitrogen ratio is fairly high (Ayolagha and Onuegbu, 2001). Ofomata (1975) describes the soil of Part-Harcourt as being ferrallic soil which is rich in iron, but has low mineral reserve and therefore low fertility. He further attributes this to latitudinal location of the area that leads to heavy rainfall, which leaches the soil.  The vegetation of the Port-Harcourt metropolis according to Udo (1981) is made up of equatorial rainforest. The vegetation could be subdivided into two major groups; the tropical rainforest and swamp forest (which is further sub-divided into fresh and mangrove swamps). 

 However, the tropical forest and swamp forest characteristics have been lost to continuous agriculture and urbanization in such a way that the few patches that remain are found in shrines. The dominant plant species found in this area include; Elaeis guineensis (oil palm tree), Rhizophora racemoasa (Red mangrove) Dacroydes edulis (African pear),Psidium guajava (Guava), Mangifera indica (Mango), Lophira alata, Gmelina arborea (Gmelina tree), Avicennia africana, R. mangle, R. harrisonia, Avicenia gerninas, Laguncularia recemosa, Nypa fruticus, Acrosticulum aureum and Paspalim vaginatum  (NDES, 1997, Phil-Eze, 2001).

1.4.5 Population

 The population of Port-Harcourt city (within its municipal boundaries) has grown from 7,000 residents in 1921 to more than 538,558 in 2006. According to the 1963 National population census results, Port-Harcourt had a population of 179, 563 persons (Ogionwo, 1979). With increase in the number of residents, the 1991 National population census results showed that Port-Harcourt and Obio-Akpor LGAs had a population of 703, 416 persons (Akpoghomeh, 2001). However, in 2006, the population of thee Port Harcourt Metropolis grew to 1, 000, 908 persons (National population Commission, 2006) with Obio-Akpor LGA having 462,350 persons while Port Harcourt LGA had 538,558 persons (NPC, 2006).  This present figures of the two Local Government Areas gave the cumulative population density of the study area to be 2695per square kilometers.

1.4.6 Economic Activities

 The Port-Harcourt metropolis is the capital city and economic hub of Rivers State. PortHarcourt has long been an important merchant port and, today, it is the centre of Nigerian‟s Oil Industry (NDES, 2000). Its major exports include petroleum and oil palm products. The city is a major industrial centre as it has a large number of multinational companies as well as other industrial concerns, particularly businesses related to the petroleum industry. It is the chief oilrefining city in Nigeria, oil being one of Nigeria‟s most important commodities and the main foreign exchange earner. The seaport and railway attracted government institutions, foreign enterprises, works and business men from other parts of Nigeria and West Africa. Most economic activities in Rivers State are based in the Port-Harcourt metropolis and these are mostly concentrated in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, Diobu axis, Port-Harcourt Township, Rumuola, Rumuokwuta, Mgbuoba, Choba, Rumuokoro, Rumuodora and Aba Road. High profile industries exist in the area. Industries in the industrial layout are chiefly those that have interest in; pharmaceuticals, tyre, textiles, fertilizers, petro-chemicals, food processing, cement, construction and printing. There are also agro-allied industries as well as financial institutions. The expansion of industrial and commercial activities during the consolidation period of 19251944 is what led to the creation of this industrial area (Chikezie, 1984); and increase in economic activities naturally serves as a trigger for population growth and urban development.    

1.5       Literature Review 

 Through large-scale manipulation of the environment and management of wetland, the resultant urbanization heralded important new discoveries in sciences such as medicine, chemistry, astronomy and mathematics, and a bloom of creativity in arts, literature and craftwork. These advances established the foundation upon which the civilized world, some five millennia later, forged a turbulent symbiotic marriage between humans and wetland – a marriage that persists up to to the present day (Mclnnes, 2008). The balance of the global population has shifted since Sumerians first tried to master the Tigris and Euphrates. For almost 5,000 years, humans remained predominantly rural. However, since the mid-2000s, more than half of the world‟s population has been residing in the urban environment (UN, 2009). This trend is predicted to continue at an average global annual growth rate of approximately 1.6 % – the rate of growth varies between developed and developing nations.

  Looking at the rate at which urban population has increased in more developed countries, we can predict a reduction over the next 40 years; with mean annual growth rates of less than 0.4% predicted for the periods 2010-2050. The predicted most rapid increase is across the least developed countries with mean annual growth rates of more than 3.7% predicted for the period 2010-2050 (UN, 2009). The urban population growth rate for the less developed nations, such as Brazil, South Africa, China and India, is closer to the global average with a predicted rate of 2.0% expected between 2010 and 2050 (UN, 2009). Cities can be a driving force for social and economic development. They have the ability to focus tremendous energy and to generate significant creative economic betterment. They offer shelter, jobs and services and provide a nexus of productivity. Consequently, cities act as a magnet for human population, attracting more and more people and generating an ever increasing proportion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Whilst this demographic shift is significant, the demand on natural resource consumption and use to sustain urban populations is ever greater (Faulkner, 2004).

 Comparisons between the demands humankind places on nature and the biosphere‟s ability to regenerate resources and provide services have demonstrated that the global average demand on biologically productive land equals 2.2 hectares per person versus an available 1.8 hectares per person (Wackernagel et al., 2006). This measure of human demand on earth‟s ecosystems has been referred to as the „ecological footprint‟ (Rees, 1992). A study of the ecological footprint of Vancouver, Canada, demonstrated that the city required an area some 200 times larger than its actual geographic area to support its population (Rees and Wackernagel, 1996). A more extreme picture emerges for London. The ecological footprint of Londoners has been estimated at 49 million hectares, which is 293 times its geographical area. This is approximately twice the size of the UK, and roughly the same size as Spain (BFF, 2002).

   The hypothesis that urbanization can have direct and indirect impacts on the environment and that wetlands are particularly susceptible to negative change, has long been proven (Darnell, 1976; Maltby, 1986). Despite this, however, the march of urbanization continues to degrade and destroy natural capital. For example, Lagos, currently the fifth largest city in the world, is the largest manufacturing and port city in West Africa, and a focal point for business and economic development in Nigeria. Metropolitan Lagos is situated on a narrow lowland coastal area which originally supported mangrove swamps. To facilitate city development, rapid and unplanned land reclamation has been achieved by infilling coastal swamps and floodplains (Adelekan, 2009). Not only has this impacted directly on wetland biodiversity, but the destruction of mangroves and wetland has also reduced the flood storage capacity of the land, resulting in increased flooding.

  McGranahan et al. (2007) notes that while economic activity and urban development often increase the environmental pressures that lead to flooding, it is usually the low income settlements and poorest groups within urban settlements that tend to be most vulnerable. Ramsar, (2010) is of the opinion that there are many organizations currently active in the fields of urban development, planning, management, protection, restoration, enhancement of wetland and their biodiversity. These include the UN-Habitat and the Ramsar Convention. Many of these organizations are implementing joined up initiatives which are benefiting people and biodiversity (Ramsar, 2010; UN-Habitat, 2010)

 The astronomical growth of urban centers in the developing counties, the rapid rate of rural-urban migration, urban poverty, urban environmental deterioration, high unemployment rate, decreasing standard of urban dwellers and other negative scenarios have engendered urban planning (Adeyemo, 2004). As the United Nations Centers for Human Settlement (UNCHS) 1987 has noted, from 1950-1970, the total population of the developing countries increased by 151%. From 1970-1990, the population of the cities in developing countries not only doubled again but the proportion living in the cities of a million or more increased from about 30% to about 40%.

  As Brain (1973) observes, “rapid urbanization has not been accompanied by a rise in economic development, as was the case in Europe and North America, and instead has been associated with unemployment, low level of life expectancy, poor nutritional status, and low levels of education”. In the same vein, World Bank (1988) ascertains that urban development in developing countries leads to infrastructural development; “despite heavy subsidies, many urban services are underprovided, 23% of urban population in developing world has no potable water within 200 meters; road congestion is spreading and escalating, transport costs have reduced productivity, housing shortages are common in many cities that resulted in degradation of wetland ecosystem”. The above scenarios show that cities in the developing countries should be managed, planned and renewed to make systems functional. 

  The concentrations of human and economic activities in few urban centers have drastically altered the ecology or ecosystem of the urban centers. The growth and development of ghettos/slums, widespread solid garbage, air/water pollution and reduction of recreational open spaces are consequences of human activities and over-urbanization. Urbanization affects the structure and function of natural systems both directly, through converting the land surface; and indirectly, by modifying energy flows and the availability of nutrients and water. Urban ecological studies have shown that the number of native plant and animal species occurring in isolated patches decreases as the patch size decreases. The effect of the patch size on native species is a direct effect of habitat loss (George, 2002). Urban growth and land conversion due to human activities such as housing development, development of industrial estates, manufacturing activities and intra-city road network development are major threats to wetland ecosystem. These activities have seriously altered the urban ecosystem to the detriment of human health in the Port Harcourt Metropolis (Adeyemo, 2004). 

 The urban fabric of the Port Harcourt metropolis has undergone dramatic changes during the last decades. From a colonial city clearly delineated in its historic boundaries, Port Harcourt has grown and continues to grow into the surrounding landscape, swallowing even more villages, coastlines, and previously unspoiled landscape, transforming into an ever increasing urban conglomerate. After the 1980s, multi-center development of cities and its catalytic impact on reshaping of the economic landscape in metropolitan areas has drawn much attention (Hackworth, 2005). During the last quarter of the twentieth century, Port Harcourt experienced tremendous structural transformation due to population and economic growth, the development of its transportation and communication systems and the impact of globalization (Obinna, Owei and Okwakpam, 2010). Like many cities in Nigeria, Port Harcourt has recorded a rapid growth in population and aerial spread. From an estimated population of 500 in 1915 it grew to 30, 200 in 1944. By 1963, its population was 179, 563 and by 1973 it has reached 231, 532 persons. The

Port Harcourt municipality‟s population was given as 440,399 by the 1991 national census (Okoye, 1975; Ogionwo, 1979; Alagoa and Derefaka, 2001). The 2006 national census showed this population had reached more than a million (Obinna, Owei and Mark, 2010). In terms of its physical size, the city grew from 15.54 sq. km in 1914, to a metropolis covering an area of 360 sq. kilometers in the 1980s. Urban development is denser on the corridors determined by geographic thresholds and major transportation connections.

  As a result of population increase and economic growth, Port Harcourt spreads to the periphery as in the other metropolitan cities. However, this decentralization is not realized with an integral and regional planning but with patchwork of partial plans. This causes negative effects on urban environment; forests, fertile agricultural land, wetlands and cultural values are threatened. This kind of sprawling process creates a settlement pattern that increases the costs of infrastructure. Residential development dynamics of Port Harcourt has been very rapid (Wizor, 2012): physical spread has occurred in both a south – easterly direction and a northerly direction. To the south, growth was through marshland colonization in squatter settlements locally called

“waterfronts”. In the last few years, settlements in these waterfronts have been demolished by the Rivers State Government. Growth has also occurred in north – westerly and north – easterly direction through the entrapment of indigenous enclaves of semi – rural and rural communities within the built – up area of the city. 

 The Port Harcourt urban fringe currently stretches to Iriebe, Eleme, Elelenwo, Rukpokwu Igwuruta, Omagwa, Aluu, Woji, Choba, Rumokwurusi and Onne (Wizor, 2012). Much of this growth is unplanned and unregulated (Owei, Ede, Obinna and Akarolo, 2008). As part of its efforts to manage the city‟s growth, the Rivers State Government in 2009 established the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority with jurisdiction covering Port Harcourt city and Obio Akpor Local Government Areas (LGA) and parts of eight other local government areas. It covers an area of approximately 1, 900 square kilometers (40, 000 hectares of land) with a projected population of about two (2) million people (GIBB, 2009). Rapid urban development and increasing land use changes due to increasing population and economic growth is being witnessed in Port Harcourt and cities in other developing countries. The measurement and monitoring of these land use changes are crucial to understand urban development dynamics over different spatial and temporal scales. Today, with rapid urbanization, there is increasing pressure on land particularly in the metropolitan cities. The cities are expanding in all directions resulting in large scale urban sprawl and changes in urban land use. The spatial pattern of such changes is more clearly noticed on the urban fringes or city peripheral areas than in the city centre. This has made the fringe area of the city to be the most dynamic landscape (Kirk, 2003).  After a study in Delhi, India, Kumar, Love, Sharma and Rabu (2003) conclude that pressure for conversion of wetlands for developmental purposes is very high especially in the case of urban riparian wetlands. These wetland ecosystems provide many tangible and intangible benefits on a sustainable basis not only to the urban society but also to the associated dependent ecosystem. Wetland areas on the fringes of river channels in a city are looked upon as a precious property resource with different potential land uses such as agriculture, site for human settlements, industries, civic construction and waste dumping sites, to mention but few. All the literature sited above show that economic activities such as grazing and draining wetlands for agricultural purposes have great effect on wetland ecosystems. Port-Harcourt wetlands have been variously affected by conversion to developmental uses such as residential and commercial purposes.  

 UN-Habitat (2010) reports that, rapid urbanization and urban areas are known to generate negative impacts on the environment as they lead to change in landscapes patterns, ecosystem functions and their capacity to perform functions in support of human populations. This is especially so when rapid or unplanned growth occurs in an area of highly vulnerable systems such as wetlands. Also, Odunuga and Oyebande (2007) note that the conversion of large tracts of wetlands into built-up areas results in increased impervious surfaces which can lead to flooding and altered aquifer recharge. Flores, Olivas and Chavez, (2008) asserted that quantifying such changes in the landscape patterns can be useful in tracking the capacity of natural ecosystems to render services in support of human systems. 

 Olarewaju et al. (2011) have studied the benefit of selected wetlands in south western Nigeria and concluded that wetland benefits are low in the area of ecosystem balancing. Balkare et al. (2011) study of wetland ecology in Ijebu-Ode, South West Nigeria showed a wetland loss of 1.04 km² between 1985 and 2007 with a perimeter of 11.56 km² in 1985; the perimeter was 17.4 km² and the wetland covered area was 1.38km². This indicates that about 0.34km of the wetland areas has been lost to different uses such as construction between the year 1985 and 2007. A further analysis indicated that over a period of 12 years, wetland reduced in Ijebu-Ode at 0.02km annually. Orimoogunje et al. (2009) in their study of wetlands in Ilesha in Osun State through field mapping, reveal that between 1986 and 1991, the total land area for wetland decreased from 258 hectares to 148 hectares, there was further decrease of wetland areas as at 2002 to 89 hectares while other land uses such as agricultural activities and settlement within this period increased. The authors attribute this to increase in population and developmental processes in Ilesha. The authors also note that the usage of the wetland area is for settlement and infrastructural development. Based on Orimoogunje et al. (2009), the alarming rate at which the Nigeria‟s wetland is vanishing obviously portends some dire consequences. The authors are of the opinion that wetlands destruction has greater consequences on water supply and water resources management in various part of the country. This is to say that, wetland loss and degradation increase the challenges of water resources management. 

      Hopkinson and Day (1980) predict that an urban area bordering a swamp forest would increase runoff volumes by 4.2 times. Stockdale (1991) suggests that greater surface runoff is also to increase velocities of flow to wetlands, which disturb wetlands biota and scour wetland substrates. USEPA (1993) states that increased amount of storm water runoff in wetland alters water level response times, depths, and duration of water detention. Reduction of watershed infiltration capacity is likely to make wetland water depths rise more rapidly following a storm event (Ajibola et al., 2012). Azous (1991) buttresses that diminished infiltration in wetland watersheds can also reduce stream base flows and ground water supplies to wetlands, lengthening dry periods and impacting species dependent on the water column. All these are glaring effect which urbanization in Port-Harcourt has on the wetlands. In the past few years, the rate of water run- off within the metropolis has increased to an alarming rate. Even a slight rain now has devastating effects in the metropolis due to high rate at which wetland ecosystems are still being converted into economic uses. Impact on wetland hydrology and water quality can, in turn, affect wetland vegetation. Horner (1989) states that emergent zones in Pacific Northwest wetlands receiving urban runoff are dominated by an opportunistic grass species, Phalaris arundinaceous, while non-impacted wetlands contain more diverse groupings of species. There have been numerous reports on the tolerance to flooding of wetland and non-wetland trees and plants (US EPA, 1993). Uluocha and Okeke, 2004; Ofodile, 2006; Tijani, 2006; Nwankwoala, 2011, are of the view that Nigeria is naturally endowed with abundant surface and ground water resources, but the water supply situation in the country for various uses remain far below expectation. In the same vein, Uluocha and Okeke (2004) submit that a major factor aggravating the problem of water management in the country is the fact that wetlands, which naturally recharge and protect both the surface and ground water resources, are being unscrupulously degraded at a rather alarming rate. 

 Fabona, Omojola and Onyeahialam (2007) are of the view that the integration of remote sensing and GIS has made possible the systematic inventory and assessment of land resource and land degradation over space and time for intervention strategies to be instituted to safeguard the health of the ecosystem. Also, integrating temporal satellite data GIS and historic maps facilitates effective monitoring tools for land usage as they provide a firm portrayal of growth patterns and how development results in profound changes to the landscape (Olaleye, Abiodun and Igbokwe, 2009). Remote sensing has been widely used to observe and record the earth‟s land and water surfaces through the means of reflected or emitted electro- magnetic energy (Jensen, 2007; Campbell, 1996). Recent advances in sensor design and data analysis are making remote sensing very practical and attractive for monitoring natural and anthropogenic wetland changes (Klemas, 2011).

 Some of the recent studies to identity or monitor wetlands and their changes with remote sensing and GIS, involve the assessment of the extent and changes in the mangrove ecosystem of Niger Delta (James et al., 2007); monitoring of land degradation along Ondo coastal zone of Nigeria (Abbas, 2008); the monitoring of wetlands in the semi-arid west, USA (Neale et al.,

2007); the mapping of Canada‟s wetland with optical, radar and DEM data (Li and Chen, 2005); the inventory monitoring of temporary and permanent wetlands of western Cape, South Africa (De Roeck et al., 2008) and the spatial-temporal analysis of wetland losses in the Lagos coastal region (Taiwo and Areola, 2009). Tijani et al. (2011) in their study of Eleyele Wetland in Ibadan through GIS based assessment revealed a reduction in the riparian wetland forest of 1.25km² as at 1984 to 0.70km² by 2004 with a projected decline of 0.42km² by 2014. One could infer from the different empirical studies as highlighted above, that there is an enormous negative impact of the human induced influence on the wetland ecosystem through urban development activities, therefore, depriving human and aquatic lives the benefits of wetlands.

 Land Use Land Cover (LULC) in urbanized areas is often a mosaic of human induced land uses; infrastructure (roads, bridges, and railways), built-up area, agricultural land, drainage/ water-bodies, waste land, etc. Therefore, conventional ground methods of land use mapping become labor intensive and time consuming. These maps soon become outdated with the passage of time, particularly in a rapidly changing environment. In fact, according to Olorunfemi (1983), monitoring changes and time series analysis is quite difficult with traditional method of surveying. In the last three decades there are large numbers of studies carried out on LULC change. Many authors have convincingly argued that LULC change in urbanized area is different from that of non-urbanized area (Cohen, 2006). Urbanized areas are predominantly covered with impervious area or built- up area with scattered & fragmented natural area. Emergence of low cost satellite imageries from Global Land Cover Facility mapping (GLCF, http://glcfapp.umiacs.umd.edu: 8080/esdi/index.jsp) has now made it possible to study the historical LULC data and monitor changes at regular intervals of time. Ever since the launch of the first remote sensing satellite (Landsat-1) in 1972, LULC studies were carried out on different scales for different users. Xiaomei Y et al. (1999) note that information about change is necessary for updating land cover maps and the management of natural resources.

 Hence by using the historical/multi-temporal data and with the help of GIS functionalities we can now access and evaluate the land use/land cover change of an area over a given period of time. This is what is called change detection technique. Change detection technique has proved to be of immense use in studying the processes of urbanization and spatial growth of urban features. Interestingly, Singh (1989) defines change detection technique as a process of identifying differences in the state of an object or phenomenon by observing it at different times. Besides it is an important process in monitoring and managing natural resources and urban development because it provides quantitative analysis of spatial land cover and land use. Macleod and Cognation (1998) list four aspects of change detection: i) Detecting the changes that have occurred, ii) identifying the nature of the change, iii) measuring the area extent of the change, and iv) assessing the spatial pattern of the change. Therefore, data on land use change are of great importance to planners and environmentalists in monitoring the environmental consequences of land use change. Such data and techniques are of value to resources management and agencies that plan and assess land use patterns and in modeling and predicting future changes. In this study, change detection technique has also been used to assess the LULC change in Delhi.

 LULC has become a widely studied phenomenon in landscape ecology, climate change, earth science and ecology. Therefore, directly or indirectly, LULC change affects the climate, geology and environmental process. One of the first exercises carried out in land use land cover change in NCR was that by CISMHE (1993) which was perhaps a maiden attempt to record the land use change over the three decades of urbanization and its impact on Delhi‟s environmental resource base. The study also made some important recommendations to the Central Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. Pandy and Nathawat (2006) carried out a study on land use land cover mapping of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanger districts of Haryana state in India. They observed that the heterogeneous climate and physiographic conditions in these districts have resulted in the development of different land use land cover. A maiden study on Himalayan land use land cover was carried out recently by Pandit et al., (2007) wherein the authors highlighted the extensive deforestation in the region with serious consequences on native biodiversity.

 Beside there is a large number of studies carried out in developing countries on LULC mappings and change. Moreover, the studies related to urbanization in the least developed countries are significantly increasing over the last decade. Most of the techniques and methods used are conventional ground mapping, GIS and remote sensing technique and survey methods (Taubenbock et al., 2009). It is also true in the case of India which has had a large number of studies conducted on urbanization and LULC change in the last decade. Literature review on LULC change and urbanization in India has resulted in 35 published scientific papers: most of these studies have been carried out using remote sensing technology. A comprehensive study on LULC change and urbanization in India was carried out by Taubenböck et al., (2009). This study was carried out in 12 major cities, namely: i) Mega cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi, ii) incipient mega cities including Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmadabad, Chennai, and iii) urban agglomeration comprising Pune, Jaipur, Kanpur, Surat and Lucknow. These authors used remote sensing technology and change detection technique. They assessed the similarities and difference between spatial growth patterns in the 12 cities. Besides, they quantified the spatio-temporal growth pattern and found that incipient mega cities are mimicking the spatial growth pattern of mega cities.

 Furthermore, a detailed literature survey on LULC change in Delhi was carried out simultaneously and more precisely by Wentz et al. (2007). These authors conducted a study on urban LULC change of Delhi and later a comparative study with Phoenix Arizona, USA, was carried out. They used an expert system transferability model developed by Stefanov and Netzband (2005) for Phoenix. Expert system transferability model is based on the spectral Signatures of remotely sensed data. However, they failed to address the LULC change and they lacked the spatio-temporal data for the study. In another study Rahman et al. (2011) carried out a detail study of LULC change in the eastern district of Delhi. However, they failed to address the issue over the entire study area. Moreover, the study was focused on the quality of urban environment. They assessed the urban environmental quality with built-up area, open spaces, household density, occupancy ratio, population density, accessibility to roads, noise and smell affected area. The study shows that the urban environment has been largely degraded when compared from 1982 to 2003. Therefore, the study covered the entire Delhi and the LULC change will be studied for three different time periods (1987, 1999 & 2006), using the GIS and remote sensing technology. 

 In their studies, Wright et al. (2006) highlighted a number of tools towards wetland management and protection. These are, land use planning, land conservation, aquatic buffer, better site design, erosion and sediment control, storm water treatment, non-storm water discharges and watershed stewardship. These strategies are all encompassing. In an urban development through land use planning, aquatic buffer and better site design all help to ensure that urban development does not erode wetland areas. Also, erosion and sediment control through buffer construction in and around wetland will help to reduce the occurrence of encroachment on wetland site; however, beyond physical barriers there is need to ensure strict implementation of the process and ensure that defaulters are punished. Most times the government itself is guilty, as seen in various land reclamation activities in Port Harcourt embarked on by the Rivers State government. Effective wetlands ecosystem management requires reliable information on rate, quality and quantity of available wetlands (Akinpeju, 2012). Springate and Baginski et al. (2009) are of the opinion that there is need to involve the stakeholders at different levels to appreciate the importance of wetlands to ecological system. This measure will enhance awareness on wetlands and further increase the appreciation we have on wetland benefits.

  From the literature reviewed, no work was done using remote sensing techniques to examine urbanization and loss of wetland in Port-Harcourt metropolis. Thus, this study is set to fill this gap in literature.

1.6 Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

 In this research, a numbers of concepts and theories related to the urbanization and wetland will guide us. This concepts and theories are those that will enable us to achieve the aims and objectives set out in this research.

Conceptual Framework

1.6.1  Concept of Urbanization

 Urbanization, simply defined, is the shift from a rural to urban society, and involves an increase in the number of people in the urban area during a particular year (World Bank, 1990). Urbanization is the outcome of social, economic and political developments that lead to urban concentration and growth of large cities, changes in the land use and transformation from rural to metropolitan pattern of organization and governance (World Bank, 1990; Angotti, 1993). In a generic sense, urbanization appeared with the first permanent human settlement 8,000 years ago. Since then, urban development has occurred all across the world, although at different times and in different ways depending on the location. 

 Urbanization occurs in three broad stages. First, there is an early period when improvement in agriculture lead to population growth and more densely populated settlements (Menezes, 2001; Almeida, 2001). However, urbanization emerged with the industrial revolution, particularly in the developed countries which became industrialized first. Only in the second half of the twentieth century, after the Second World War, were developing countries exposed to urbanization, but this has intensified over the last 40 years.

  In 1960, one third of the world‟s population lived in the cities. Now-a-days, almost half of the planet‟s population concentrates in the cities and, by 2030, residents of urban areas will represent more than 60% of total world population. Forecasts indicate that 2007 will be the turning point. From then on, more people will be living in the cities than in rural areas in the world. Most of the urban population growth will take place in poorer countries and will involve poor people moving into the cities, looking for the opportunities they do not have in rural area (Almeida, 2000). The population of the cities in developing countries has almost doubled since 1960, going from 22% to 40% of the total. At the same time, urban population percentage increases in developed countries was only from 61% to 76 % (Menezes, 2001).  

1.6.2  Concept of Sustainable Development

 The Concept of Sustainable Development is applied to this study. The concept of sustainable development was propounded by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987. Development involves the purposeful change of the inherently complex environmental systems. The natural resources (agricultural products, climatic factors, mineral resources) are consumed and multi-purpose in terms of their social and economic roles. The anthropogenic resources system (infrastructural facilities) is used to enhance improvement in the standard of living of the people. Consequently, the effects of bad management are often wide spread both geographically and socially (Birch, 1973). From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that agricultural activities, environmental factors, human needs and infrastructural facilities are independent. A system analysis or assessment of the total environment and basic socioamenities should be part of the overall planning process. In making developmental decisions to maintain or improve environmental quality, sustainable provision of basic socio-amenities and food security should be given sufficient weight. This is the basis of the concept of sustainable development, an idea first proposed in the eighties by the World Commission on Environment and Development (Railwani and Osayande, 2003).

  Again, Sustainable urban development is an offshoot of sustainable development. It thus implies that the present generation embarks on development with the consciousness of the implication of their development efforts. The concept of sustainable development thus incorporates concerns for the environment at the inception of development activity (Akinpeju, 2012). Sustainable development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs (WCED, 1987). The primary objective of sustainable development is to reduce the absolute poverty of the world‟s poor through providing lasting and secure livelihoods that minimize resource depletion, environmental degradation, cultural disruption and social instability (World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). The earth summit (UNCED), which recognized the pressing environment and development problems of the world, and through the adoption of agenda 21, produced a global program of action for sustainable development in the 21st century. Agenda 21 stresses the importance of partnership in improving social, economic and environmental quality in urban areas. It suggests renewed focus on effective land use planning to include adequate environmental infrastructure, water, sanitation, drainage, wetland transportation and solid waste management, in addition to a sound social infrastructure capable of alleviating hunger (Afonja, 1999). Hence, sustainable urban development entails engaging in urban physical development with adequate considerations given to the implication of such development on ecosystem. Nigeria is blessed with a variety of environmental resources among which is wetlands; however, to better enjoy the benefits derived from these resources, there is need for better management and effective policy framework.  

1.6.3  The Concept of Wise Use in Wetland Ecosystem

 The concept of the wise use of wetlands has been even more of a focal issue to the Ramsar Convention since the Wise Use Working Group began its work in 1988. Much work has subsequently been done throughout the world on the wise use of natural resources. The present publication reflects part of this work which, thanks to a number of international organizations such as IUCN and the World Conservation Union (and in particular the IUCN Wetlands Program), has permitted a clearer understanding of the sense and strengths of the concept, which will prove helpful in conserving wetlands (RCB,1990; Davis, 1993).

            According to the guidelines adopted in Montreux 22, November 1990 and published as the Annex to recommendation REC C.4.10, wise use of wetlands involves the establishment of national wetland policies. Whether or not national wetland policies are being prepared, priority actions at national level and at particular wetland sites should be defined. The principal elements of national wetland policies may be grouped in the following sections (RCB, 1990).

1. Improvement of institutional arrangements so that wetland policies can be fully integrated into the planning process; and the establishment of mechanisms and procedures for incorporating this integrated, multi-disciplinary approach into planning and execution of projects concerning wetlands.
2. Review of existing legislation and government policies (including subsidies and incentives), application of existing legislation and policies, adoption of new ones and use of development funds for wetlands.
3. Increasing knowledge and awareness of wetlands and their values, including exchange of information, propagation of their benefits and values (a statement of which is given), review of traditional techniques and training of appropriate staff.
4. Review of the status of wetlands in the national context, including compilation of a national inventory and definition of each wetland’s particular values and conservation

priorities.

• Addressing of problems at particular wetland sites, by integrating environmental considerations into their management, regulated utilization, establishment of management plans, designation as appropriate for the Ramsar List, establishment of nature reserves and, if necessary, restoration.

 Defining a national wetland policy is often a very long process, and governments may wish to promote priority aspects of the wise use of wetlands before the actual adoption of a comprehensive policy. In this context, they need to identify short-term priority actions to be taken at national level, as well as priority actions at specific sites (RCB, 1990; Davis, 1993).

 The convention on wetlands came into force in Nigeria on 2 February, 2001. Nigeria presently has 11 sites designated as wetlands of International Importance, with a surface area of 1,076, 728 hectares. Wetlands are also used extensively for recreational aesthetic and educational purpose. All over the world, wetlands are used as recreational sites in various ways – boating, picnics, yachting, fishing festival, boat regatta etc (Chidi & Ominigbo, 2009; Asibor, 2009; Chidi & Erhabor, 2009).

 Nigeria is richly endowed with abundant wetlands ecosystem, the majority of which are found in the Niger, Benue and Chad basins. Wetlands represent 2.6% of the country‟s area of about 923,768km². The Niger Delta is one of the most important wetlands in Nigeria, the largest in Africa and third largest area in the world.

 Oyebande, et al. (2003) and Asibor, (2009), identify fourteen (14) major wetland belts in Nigeria. These includes: Sokoto-Rima, Komadugu Yobe, Lake Chad, Upper Niger and Kainji lake, Middle Niger – Lokoja – Jebba – Lower Kaduna, Lower Benue – Makurdi, Cross River,

Lower Niger, Niger Delta, Benin – Owena and Okomu, Lagos Lagoon and Lekki Peninsula, Lower Ogun River, Ologe Lagoon, Badagry and Yewa Creeks and the transboundary wetlands of the Upper Benue. Despite the existence of many important wetlands in Nigeria, most of them are not well documented and gazetted (Chidi & Ominigbo, 2010). For example, in the entire country, only eleven (11) wetland sites are recognized as Ramsar sites, both inland and coastal

(Asibor, 2009). Even the Niger Delta, Nigeria‟s largest and richest biodiversity region, is yet to be recognized (Table 1) and gazetted as Ramsar site (Chidi & Erhabor, 2009; Nwakwola, 2012).

               Table 1: Nigeria’s 11 Ramsar Sites (1, 076, 728 hectares)

                  (Source: Asibor, 2009)

Theoretical Framework

1.6.4  Theory of Ecosystem Management      

 Ecosystem management is a process that aims to conserve major ecological services and restore natural resources while meeting the socioeconomic, political and cultural needs of current and future generations (Brussard et al., 1998; Szaro et al., 1998). The principal objective of ecosystem management is the efficient maintenance and ethical use of natural resources (Szaro et al., 1998). Ecosystem management acknowledges that the interrelation of socio-cultural, economic and ecological systems is paramount to understanding the circumstances that affect environmental goals and outcomes (Lackey, 1998). It is a multifaceted and holistic approach which requires a significant change in how the natural and human environments are identified. Several approaches to effective ecosystem management engage conservation efforts at both a local or landscape level and involve: adaptive management, natural resource management, strategic management, and command and control management.

 The definitions of ecosystem management are typically vague (Lackey, 1998). Several core principles define and bound the concept and provide operational meaning: (1) ecosystem management reflects a stage in the continuing evolution of social values and priorities; it is neither a beginning nor an end; (2) ecosystem management is place-based and the boundaries of the place must be clearly and formally defined; (3) ecosystem management should maintain ecosystems in the appropriate condition to achieve desired social benefits; (4) ecosystem management should take advantage of the ability of ecosystems to respond to a variety of stressors, natural and man-made, but all ecosystems have limited ability to accommodate stressors and maintain a desired state; (5) ecosystem management may or may not result in emphasis on biological diversity; (6) the term sustainability, if used at all in ecosystem management, should be clearly defined – specifically, the time frame of concern, the benefits and costs of concern, and the relative priority of the benefits and costs; and (7) scientific information is important for effective ecosystem management, but is only one element in a decision-making process that is fundamentally one of public and private choice (Lackey, 1998).As a concept of natural resource management, ecosystem management remains both ambiguous and controversial, in part because some of its formulations rest on policy and scientific assertions that are contested (Lackey, 1998). These assertions are important to understanding much of the conflict surrounding ecosystem management. Professional natural resource managers, typically operating from within government bureaucracies and professional organizations, often mask debate over controversial assertions by depicting ecosystem management as an evolution of past management approaches.

1.6.5   Ecosystem Model

 An ecosystem model is an abstract, usually mathematical, representation of an ecological system (ranging in scale from an individual population, to an ecological community, or even an entire biome), which is studied to gain understanding of the real system (Hall et al., 1990). Using data gathered from the field, ecological relationships – such as the relation of sunlight and water availability to photosynthetic rate, or that between predator and prey populations – are derived, and these are combined to form ecosystem models. These model systems are then studied in order to make predictions about the dynamics of the real system. Often, the study of inaccuracies in the model (when compared to empirical observations) will lead to the generation of hypotheses about possible ecological relations that are not yet known or well understood. Models enable researchers to simulate large-scale experiments that would be too costly or unethical to perform on a real ecosystem. They also enable the simulation of ecological processes over very long periods of time (i.e. simulating a process that takes centuries in reality can be done in a matter of minutes in a computer model) (Hall and Day, 1990).

 There are two major types of ecological models, which are generally applied to different types of problems: (1) analytic models and (2) simulation/computational models. 

 Analytic models are often more mathematically complex, and work best when dealing with relatively simple (often linear) systems, specifically those that can be accurately described by a set of mathematical equations whose behavior is well known. Simulation models on the other hand, use numerical techniques to solve problems for which analytic solutions are impractical or impossible. Simulation models tend to be more widely used, and are generally considered more ecologically realistic, while analytic models are valued for their mathematical elegance and explanatory power. Jorgensen & Sven (1996), Grant & Swannack, (2008), Hall & Day (1990) are of the view that an Ecopath is a powerful software system which uses simulation and computational methods to model marine ecosystems. It is widely used by marine and fisheries scientists as a tool for modeling and visualizing the complex relationships that exist in real world marine ecosystems (Paul et al., 2000; Christensen & Walters, 2004; Christensen, 2009). This model was adopted because it seeks to explain the relationship and interaction between forms of disturbances that occurs in space and how they affect changes in other ecosystems. That is, there exists a relationship among individual wetlands, which means that any adverse impact on one may affect the function of another or several others.

1.6.6 Land Use/ Land Degradation Model

In this context land use represents human use of land while land degradation tells us about the bio-physical depletion of land or the reduction in the capacity of land to function sustainably. The land use/degradation model was adopted for this work to show the relationship between land use/land degradation which causes changes in biological diversity that can lead to wetland loss (Campbell and Olson, 1991). Campbell and Olson bring society and environment interaction in what is reflected as the kite framework which rest on five main principles or doctrines.

1. Principle of integrating environmental and societal processes as active component of land use systems.
2. Principle of different processes especially population growth and development having different temporal characteristics.
3. Principle of temporal processes having bi-directional changes; i.e. land use intensification due to socio-economic context, and interaction of processes can result in feedback effects mechanism.
4. Principle of examination of interactions over space, recognizing that events in one area may have repercussions in other areas through processes as infrastructural development, migration and increased socio-economic competitions and institutional change(s).
5. Principle of recognizing the role of power in affecting outcomes of policy and resolving competition and conflicts.

By implication, interactions between societal and biophysical processes at the global, national, regional and local levels result in environmental changes. Thus, this model clearly explains how change in land use as a result of rapid urbanization in a place like the Port-Harcourt metropolis has impact on the biodiversity and vegetation composition which ultimately have direct effect on wetland functions and services. 

1.7     Research Methodology

1. Reconnaissance Survey

 In order to properly undertake this research, a reconnaissance survey has been carried out to enable the researcher familiarize with the study area (Appendix 1). Remote sensing are the techniques of analysis not for reconnaissance rather, coordinates of various land use and land cover of the study area have been ascertained and validated in order to improve the accuracy of the classification that has been adopted to the imageries in question (study area).

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