IMPACT OF ANTHROPOGENIC ACTIVITIES ON BIODIVERSITY IN OBAN DIVISION, CROSS RIVER NATIONAL PARK, AKAMKPA, NIGERIA

Abstract

Human activities have exerted significant pressure on global biodiversity, with increasing habitat loss, deforestation, poaching, and unsustainable resource exploitation threatening numerous species. In Nigeria, particularly within the Oban Division of Cross River National Park, the expansion of agriculture, logging, and hunting continues to endanger both flora and fauna. This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic activities on biodiversity in selected communities surrounding the park. Data were collected through household surveys, field observations, and key informant interviews, while both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed to analyze patterns of resource use and their ecological implications. Findings reveal that agricultural expansion, fuel wood extraction, and poaching are the most significant drivers of biodiversity loss in the area. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced community participation in sustainable forest management and the development of alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on the park’s resources. The results provide valuable insights into the human dimensions of biodiversity conservation in Nigeria’s most ecologically significant protected area.