The Impacts of Petroleum Production on Terrestrial Fauna and Flora in the Oil-Producing Region of Nigeria
| Autor: | G. A. Ataguba, K.S. Chukwuka, W.A. Jimoh, C.G. Alimba |
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| Rok vydání: | 2018 |
| Předmět: |
geography
geography.geographical_feature_category 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Ecology Fauna Biodiversity Environmental pollution Wetland 010501 environmental sciences 01 natural sciences Environmental science Ecosystem Species richness Mangrove 0105 earth and related environmental sciences Tropical rainforest |
| Popis: | Oil exploration and exploitation, the major anthropogenic activities in the Niger Delta region since the discovery of crude oil in 1956, have caused the spill of at least 9–13 million barrels of crude oil, making the region one among the five most severely damaged ecosystems in the world. The biodiversity richness of the Niger Delta, which was described as being “extraordinary” with diverse species of terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna, formed one among the ten most important wetland and tropical rainforest ecosystems in the world. Oil spillage and gas flaring have deleteriously affected the ecosystems and humans inhabiting the region. This has led to soil compaction, poor seed germination and retarded plant growth, and loss of mangrove and tropical forest species. Decreased biodiversity, mutation of the wild genetic strains, and eventual death of most species have characterized the Niger Delta region in recent time. This invariably impacted on the humans whose livelihood is tied to the ecosystem services provided by the Niger Delta wetlands. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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