JSFA

Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.12.011

Human Activities and Livelihood Dependence as Drivers of Deforestation in Agudu Forest Reserve

Download PDF How to cite this paper

TOTAL VIEWS: 328

O. J. Rotowa^1,2,*, Z. T. Egbewole²

¹Department of Ecology and Silviculture, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Krakow 31-120, Poland.

²Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Nasarawa State University, Keffi 911019, Nasarawa State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author: O. J. Rotowa

Published: January 12,2026

Abstract

Deforestation remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges in Nigeria, particularly in the Guinea Savannah, where agricultural expansion, fuelwood extraction, and weak governance converge. This study assessed the human activities driving forest decline in Agudu Forest Reserve, Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Data were collected from 50 respondents using structured questionnaires, direct field observations, and photographic evidence. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequencies, percentages, chi-square tests, and regression analysis. Findings revealed that access to the reserve is almost unrestricted, with 98% of respondents confirming entry rights and 62% visiting very often. Farming was the leading reason for entry (60%), followed by hunting, fishing, and fuelwood collection. Livelihood dependence on the forest was high, as 76% of respondents relied on it for income, most of which was generated year-round. Awareness of deforestation was relatively high (76%), and while only half of respondents acknowledged their personal role in forest loss, 96% expressed willingness to comply with restrictions, and all indicated readiness to plant trees if provided with seedlings. These results suggest that deforestation in Agudu is driven more by livelihood needs than by ignorance, and that communities could be mobilized for conservation. The study concludes that effective conservation requires balancing forest protection with local survival needs. It recommends alternative livelihood programmes, community-based afforestation, clean energy access, and stronger governance mechanisms.

Keywords

Forest governance; Community participation; Conservation policy; Sustainable forest management

References

[1] Egbewole ZT, Rotowa OJ. Hike in pump price: major doom to Nigeria forest. J Energy Environ Chem Eng. 2018;3(2):19-26. doi:10.11648/j.jeece.20180302.11.

[2] Rotowa OJ, Małek S, Pach M. Forest Sustainability: A Force to Recon with in the Phase of Global Environmental Challenges. Am J Agric For. 2023;11(2):58-66.
doi:10.11648/j.ajaf.20231102.13.

[3] World Resources Institute (WRI). Global Forest Review: Tree cover loss data 2023. 2024. Available from:

https://gfr.wri.org/global-tree-cover-loss-data-2023.

[4] Forest Declaration Assessment. 2023 Global Forest Review. 2023. Available from:

https://forestdeclaration.org/press-release-global-forest-assessment-2023.

[5] Global Forest Watch. Global Forest Watch Dashboard. 2024. Available from:

https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/global.

[6] UN-REDD. Nigeria’s National REDD+ Strategy. United Nations REDD Programme; 2019. Available from:

https://www.un-redd.org/partner-countries/africa/nigeria.

[7] Arnold JM, Köhlin G, Persson R. Woodfuels, livelihoods, and policy interventions: changing perspectives. World Dev. 2006; 34(3):596-611.

[8] Adams C, Rodrigues ST, Calmon M, Kumar C. Impacts of large-scale forest restoration on socioeconomic status and local livelihoods: what we know and do not know. Biotropica. 2016;48(6):731-744.

[9] Seymour F, Busch J. Why forests? Why now?: The science, economics, and politics of tropical forests and climate change. Brookings Institution Press; 2016.

[10] Alao JS. Challenges of forestry management in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. J Agric Soc Sci. 2009;5(1):9-12.

[11] Egbewole ZT, Alao JS. Tree growth variables of Tectona grandis in Agudu Forest Reserve and its contributions to rural livelihood. PAT J. 2013;9(1):59-72.

[12] Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The State of the World’s Forests 2020: Forests, biodiversity and people. Rome: FAO and UNEP; 2020. doi:10.4060/ca8642en.

[13] Rotowa OJ, Egbewole ZT. Production and Utilization of Briquettes and Improved Cooking Stoves as Alternatives to Sustainable Biomass. In: Proceedings of the 17th Annual Meeting of the Northern European Network for Wood Science and Engineering (WSE 2021); 2021 Oct 14-15. p. 137.

[14] Ogunwusi AA. Wood waste generation in the forest industry in Nigeria and prospects for industrial utilization. Civ Environ Res. 2014;6(9):62-70.

[15] Arowosoge OGE, Popoola L. Fuelwood consumption and forest degradation in Nigeria: implications for sustainable forest management. J For Res Manag. 2021;18(2):45-56.

[16] Adepoju AO, Salami AT. Dynamics of forest cover change in Nigeria: Implications for sustainable forest management. Environ Dev. 2017;24:1-10. doi:10.1016/j.envdev.2017.06.002.

[17] Creswell JW. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. 4th ed. Sage Publications; 2014.

[18] Jayeoba OJ. Land suitability evaluation for arable agriculture in Nasarawa State using geo-information [PhD thesis]. Nasarawa State University, Keffi; 2013.

[19] Fasona MJ, Omojola AS. Climate change, human security and communal clashes in Nigeria. In: Human Security and Climate Change Conference; 2005 Jun 21-23; Oslo.

[20] Richard AG, Mafuru CS, Paul M, Kayombo CJ, Kashindye AM, Chirenje LI, et al. Human activities influencing deforestation in Meru Catchment Forest Reserve, Tanzania. J Hum Ecol. 2011;33(1):17-20. doi:10.1080/09709274.2011.11906347.

[21] Luoga EJ. The effect of human disturbances on diversity and dynamics of miombo woodlands in eastern Tanzania [PhD thesis]. University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; 2000.

[22] Oyugi JO, Brown SJ, Whelan JC. Effects of human disturbance on composition and structure of Brachystegia woodland in Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kenya. Afr J Ecol. 2007;46(3):374-383. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00876.x.

[23] Acheampong EO, Marfo E, Afful-Koomson T, Afrane S. Gender and forest governance in Ghana: The representation gap. For Policy Econ. 2019;100:124-133.
doi:10.1016/j.forpol.2018.12.011.

[24] Mwangi E, Meinzen-Dick R, Sun Y. Gender and sustainable forest management in East Africa and Latin America. Ecol Soc. 2011;16(1):17. doi:10.5751/ES-03873-160117.

[25] Larson AM, Dokken T, Duchelle AE, Atmadja S, Resosudarmo IAP, Cronkleton P. Gender and REDD+: An analysis of policy documents and strategies in 17 countries. Int For Rev. 2016;18(4):586-599. doi:10.1505/146554816820127578.

[26] Schwartz MW, Caro TM. Effect of selective logging on trees and understory regeneration in miombo woodlands. Afr J Ecol. 2003;41(1):75-82. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2028.2003.00413.x.

[27] Chhetri BBK, Lund JF, Nielsen ØJ. The public finance potential of community forestry in Nepal. Ecol Econ. 2012;73:113-121. doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2011.09.015.

[28] Agrawal A, Chhatre A. Explaining success on the commons: Community forest governance in the Indian Himalaya. World Dev. 2006;34(1):149-166. doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2005.07.013.

[29] Geist HJ, Lambin EF. Proximate causes and underlying driving forces of tropical deforestation. BioScience. 2002;52(2):143-150.
doi:10.1641/0006-3568(2002)052[0143:PCAUDF]2.0.CO;2.

[30] Nkemnyi MF, de Haas A, Etiendem DN, Ndobegang F. Livelihood and conservation: Reconciling forest use and conservation in protected areas of the Congo Basin. J Sustain For. 2016;35(7):460-474. doi:10.1080/10549811.2016.1203849.

[31] Acheampong EO, Macgregor CJ, Sloan S, Sayer J. Deforestation is driven by agricultural expansion in Ghana’s forest reserves. Land Use Policy. 2018;72:470-478.
doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.12.048.

[32] Yanggen D. Sustainable agriculture and deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon [PhD dissertation]. Department of Agricultural Economics, Michigan State University; 2000.

[33] Hansen CP, Lund JF, Treue T. Neither fast, nor easy: The prospect of reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) in Ghana. Int For Rev. 2012;14(2):201-216. doi:10.1505/146554812800923408.

[34] Adekunle EA, Okelola OM, Rotowa OJ, Bhadmus HB, Adeagbo AA. Repositioning Agriculture And Forestry In Nigeria Through Budget Allocation And Appropriation. Int J Appl Res Technol. 2018;7(10):23-29.

[35] Obioha E. Climate variability, environmental change and food security nexus in Nigeria. J Hum Ecol. 2009;26(2):107-121. doi:10.1080/09709274.2009.11906174.

[36] Adeagbo AA, Olajuyigbe SO, Appaigyei BD, Rotowa OJ, Oluyinka OM. Effects of Animal raid on Farming Communities in Osho Forest Reserve. Int J Curr Res Food Sci Agric. 2019;1(1).

[37] Rotowa OJ, Egbwole ZT, Adeagbo AA, Oluwasessin MB. Effect of Indiscriminate Charcoal Production on Nigeria Forest Estate. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2019;7(6).
doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20190706.12.

How to cite this paper

Human Activities and Livelihood Dependence as Drivers of Deforestation in Agudu Forest Reserve

How to cite this paper: O. J. Rotowa, Z. T. Egbewole. (2025) Human Activities and Livelihood Dependence as Drivers of Deforestation in Agudu Forest Reserve. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, 9(4), 346-356.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2025.12.011