Wetland Ecosystems in Nigeria

Abstract

Wetlands, crucial ecosystems with substantial ecological and economic significance, are increasingly under threat globally, including in countries like Nigeria. This chapter presents a review of wetlands in Nigeria, focusing on their classification, carbon sequestration potential, ecosystem services, and the challenges they face due to climate change and human activities. Drawing on secondary literature sources, this study synthesizes existing knowledge on Nigerian wetlands. Wetlands in Nigeria, including swamps, marshes, fens, and bogs, are distributed across the countries like the Niger, Benue, and Chad basins. They play a critical role in carbon sequestration, mitigating climate change by capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and storing it in tidal sediments. Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services such as habitat provision, flood protection, water purification, and recreational opportunities. However, they face threats like drainage, conversion for agricultural or residential use, and pollution. Nonetheless, addressing threats to wetlands requires further research and policy interventions. The impact of climate change on wetland ecosystems is explored, emphasizing resilience, geospatial assessment, policy frameworks, and associated challenges in Nigeria. Climate change affects water availability, biogeochemistry, and gas emissions, necessitating adaptive conservation strategies. Geospatial assessment techniques, including remote sensing and Geospatial Information System (GIS), are discussed for wetland mapping and conservation planning. Policy frameworks like the Ramsar Convention are crucial for wetland protection, but challenges such as legal gaps, weak enforcement, capacity-building needs, and invasive species threats must be addressed. This chapter advocates a comprehensive approach to wetland management, integrating ecological, social, economic, and governance factors, and emphasizes stakeholder collaboration for sustainable conservation and resilience building in Nigeria’s wetlands.