SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE REHABILITATION OF AGODI GARDEN, IBADAN AFTER 2011 FLOOD

¹Adedoyin, S.O and ²Lameed, G. A

¹ Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Benin, Nigeria

²Department of Wildlife and Ecotourism Management, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Email: adedoyin.so.mnim@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

This work aimed at highlighting the socio-economic and ecological implications of rehabilitating Agodi Garden after the 2011 flood in Ibadan. The study used an interviewed-administered questionnaire. Two types of questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed and presented in percentages as well as in Pearson moment correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics. Results showed that majority of respondents had tertiary education (89.0; 55.6%); were males (60.0; 55.6%) and were Nigerians (102.0; 94.4%). It was shown in table 3 and figure 2 that there was remarkable increase in tourists’ influx. Increase in tourists’ influx rate was significant .000* (P<0.05 at levels), while other implications of rehabilitation (such as ecological and environmental) were also significant .048* (P<0.05 at levels). Majority of the respondents perceived that rehabilitation was excellent (36.0; 33.3%); would yield financial gain (97.0; 89.8%); would serve as tourists’ attraction (5.0; 4.6%), would as well as cause destruction of the vegetative cover and loss of soil micro-organisms (3.0; 2.8%). On the other hand, the staff perceived that rehabilitation would lead to employments creation (28.0%); enhance research opportunities (18%); bring about landscape with good walk-way network (18%) and flood control and relaxation services (27%). However, some respondents further opined that rehabilitation would have negative effects which included loss of natural wetlands and degradation (5.0%); trampling on soil structure (2.0%) and environmental pollution (1.0%). Other negative effects perceived by the staff that the rehabilitation of the garden would cause included displacement and migration of fauna and avifaunal species (27.0%); destruction of rare habitats and age-long tree species (27.0%) and environmental pollution (9.0%). Finally, considering the socio-economic gains of the garden and the ecological alterations during the rehabilitations, it is very imperative to always have the conservation objective in mind over economic objective during construction, reconstruction, development, re-development or rehabilitation of any nature-based area, like Agodi Gardens and Park.