Rural land use change in South-eastern Nigeria: evidence and environmental consequences

Abstract

South-eastern Nigeria is an area in tropical Africa that is well known for high population growth rate and crude density, high rate of urbanization and poor agricultural resource base. Evidence has shown that these are the main driving forces for the change in rural land use in the region. However, since land use change will continue to be part of human environment and development, it is proper that the change is not opposed but be adapted in order to gain from the improvements in human welfare that may be associated with it if managed well. Accordingly, proper management of the transitions of the land use systems becomes vital for the sustainable environment and development of southeastern Nigeria. In this regard the author proffers the application of land quality indicators as an environmental management tool for the region against the backdrop of the land use change and the linkages with the environmental degradation in the region.

Global Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 4(1&2) 2005: 27-32