ASSESSMENT OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF THE ONDO STATE COASTAL ZONE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The coastal ecosystems provide a wide range of services that sustain human wellbeing. These valuable assets are under threat as a result of man’s ever increasing need which put pressure on them. This has led to biodiversity loss, therefore, the ecosystems are depleted and some other species have gone into extinction. This study therefore assessed ecosystem services of the Ondo state coastal zone in relation to its depletion with a view to recommending a framework for incorporating ecosystem services concept into the spatial planning process for effective management of the ecosystems in Ilaje. The study area was digitized into a polygon feature class using ArcGIS10.5, and then overlaid on the spatially disaggregated ecosystem dataset and on the historical Landsat datasets for years 1984 and 2019. The simple benefit transfer technique for resource valuation with the aid of The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity dataset was used to quantify the monetary value of the ecosystems. Structured questionnaires were used to solicit information on the drivers of ecosystem change in the study area while semi-structured interview guides were used to obtain information on existing ecosystem management initiatives in the study area and efforts that have been put in place by relevant institutions. Results show that the ecosystems in the study area have been depleting as 36,572ha (25.3%) of the ecosystems has depleted by 2019, which is valued at $47.6 billion (N17.13 trillion). Some of the factors responsible for the changes in the ecosystem are sociopolitical factors such as low public participation and poor access to public information. Using Content and Swot Analysis, it was discovered that the ecosystem services concept has not been incorporated into Nigerian planning policy documents, hence the reasons for mismanagement of the ecosystems. This study recommends strategic environmental assessment (SEA); public participation geographic information system (PPGIS); integrated assessment tools and landscape structural assessment as a four-tier framework to aid in mainstreaming the ecosystem approach into spatial planning for effective ecosystem management.