Human Activities and their Attendant Impacts on the Riparian Ecosystem of the Stream, a Case Study of Ogangan Stream in Igede-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined human activities and their attendant impacts on the riparian ecosystem of the stream, a case study of ogangan stream in Igede-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria with the major aim to assess the rate of increase in human activities and its attendant impacts on the riparian ecosystem of the stream. The study was carried out in 2019 and employed the collection of data from both primary and secondary sources. Sixty (60) copies of questionnaire were administered for this study through random sampling of the respondents; data collected were presented in statistical tabulated tables, charts and graphical representation. Descriptive statistics such as pie chart, distribution curve, frequencies, and percentages were employed to analyze data. The outcome of the study revealed that, human activities were rapidly increasing in the riparian zone than ever, as more people spread to reside in the area which has detrimental effects on the riparian zone of the river. The study concluded that this unprecedented rate of increase in human activities in the study area was degrading the capability of the riparian zone to provide ecosystem services and therefore recommended that the State Government should implement law for the protection of riparian habitat. This law should be accompanied with implementing mechanism for its sustainability.