Perceived Benefits of Selected Wetlands in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Poor appreciation of wetlands has been linked to a massive destruction of wetlands in Nigeria thereby constituting a missed opportunity that would have led to improved income generation, food security and environment sustainability.  This study assessed people’s perception of selected wetlands benefits in South West, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained in a cross-section survey of 197 individuals that were either resident and/or pursuing livelihood activities in communities around Eleyele, Eriti and Lagos lagoon wetlands  of  Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States, respectively. The study found that majority of respondents  recognised the direct benefits of the Wetlands especially in terms of its role in provision of food, herbs and building materials while only a few recognised its environmental services as it relates to provision of windbreaks, nutrient recycling and microclimate stabilization. The level of appreciation of all Wetland benefits among the respondent was a low Perceived Benefit Index (PBI) value of 0.45 on a scale of one. Tobit regression analysis revealed that age, Wetland share of income, activity type as well as the location of Wetland  are factors that significantly influence people’s perception of Wetlands benefits. It can therefore be concluded that people around Wetlands have a poor appreciation of Wetland benefits especially the environmental services they provide. The study recommends that governments and NGOs should put in place appropriate community based education/awareness campaign to promote better appreciation of Wetlands benefits.