The effects of changes in land / sea interface on resource exploitation in the Cross River Estuary, Nigeria
Ogba, C. Okonko et al.
The Cross River Estuary plays significant role in the sustenance of the ecological stability of its environment, while maintaining steady state equilibrium with the terrestrial environment (watershed). Its contributions to the socio-economic development of the region and beyond are equally far reaching. While the largest harvest of crayfish in Nigeria is derived from the western flank of the estuary in Oron, fish catch is considered by the local people as the most profitable. Forest products (timber and non-timber) from the mangroves provide wide ranging functions. Studies have emphasized the values of these products, in addition to the activities to the activities of man as determinants of degradation of estuaries, hence reduction in yield. The degradation of the estuary and the multiplier effects on the poverty level of the people arising from possible changes in the land/sea interface due to climate variation and sea level rise has not been given adequate attention for this region. Changes in the coastal environment, which manifest from climate change and sea level rise, can alter the salinity of the estuary. The integrity of the estuary being affected translates to the socio-economics as saline invasion or otherwise would negatively offset the livelihood sources. Current management approaches have been sectoral rather than holistic, which gears towards environmental sustainability and poverty alleviation. Integrated coastal zone management it advocated as approach to resource use sustainability and poverty alleviation. This approach is such that integrates contingency to climate change in its plan.
Event: 6th FIG Regional Conference 2007 : Strategic Integration of Surveying Services
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