Deforestation And Land Degradation: Its Effects On Karim-Lamido Local Government Area Of Taraba State

Abdullahi Danburam
Department of History and Diplomatic Studies,
Faculty of Arts, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria.

Ayandeji Lateef Akanbi, PhD
Department of Political Sciences,
Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

Alaba Babatunde Israel
Department of History and Diplomatic Studies,
Faculty of Arts, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria.
&
Titus Fitami Dio
Department of History and Diplomatic Studies,
Faculty of Arts, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria.

Abstract
This study investigates the patterns and drivers of deforestation and land degradation in Karim-Lamido Local
Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State, Nigeria, over a 30-year period from 1992 to 2022. Utilizing satellite
imagery and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for land cover analysis, the research documents a substantial
decline in forest cover from 63.1 per cent in 1992 to 21.83 per cent in 2022, accompanied by an increase in farm and
bare land from 33.8 per cent to 75.06 per cent over the same period. The findings highlight significant land use
changes primarily driven by agricultural expansion and resource exploitation, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors.
The study applies Vroom’s Expectancy Theory to elucidate the motivations behind these environmental changes,
emphasizing the short-term economic incentives that often overshadow long-term ecological sustainability. The
research underscores the severe environmental impacts of deforestation, including habitat loss, soil erosion, and
reduced biodiversity, which in turn threaten the livelihoods of local communities. The study concludes with
recommendations for sustainable land management practices, community engagement, policy enhancement, and
continuous monitoring to mitigate the adverse effects of deforestation and promote ecological restoration. This
research contributes to the broader discourse on environmental conservation and sustainable development in SubSaharan Africa.
Keywords: Deforestation, ecology, sustainability, environment, degradation, Geographic Information System
Introduction
Forests and healthy land are the lifeblood of our planet. They provide us with clean air, regulate
water cycles, prevent soil erosion, and harbor a wealth of biodiversity. However, across the globe, these
vital resources are under siege from deforestation and land degradation. This is a pressing issue in
Karim-Lamido Local Government Area (LGA) of Taraba State and Nigeria at large, faces a significant
threat from these environmental challenges. Karim-Lamido Local Government Area is a region rich in
natural beauty and ecological significance. However, beneath its verdant canopy lies a narrative of
profound concern: the pervasive impacts of deforestation and land degradation.
The repercussions of deforestation extend far beyond the felling of trees; they reverberate
through every facet of life in Karim-Lamido. As the vibrant ecosystems of this locality are dismantled,
the delicate balance that sustains its flora and fauna is disrupted, leading to irreversible loss of habitat,
biodiversity, and ecological resilience. Moreover, the intricate relationship between land and livelihoods
is severed, as communities dependent on the forest for sustenance find their traditional way of life
imperiled by encroaching degradation.