Wetland function, values and conservation in Nigeria Prof. M. M. ABUBAKAR INTRODUCTION Definition of wetland Wetlands have been defined in different ways by many people • Sinks into which surface water flows from a surrounding catchment • Land areas saturated with water that supports plant growth • Areas that support the prevalence of hydrophytes adapted to hydric life An ecosystem that depends on constant or recurrent inundation or saturation at or near the soil surface and the presence of physical, chemical and biological features reflective of the inundation Introduction cont • The most popular definition in Nigeria is that provided by the Ramsar Convention: • “areas of water whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salty, the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters. • Wetlands are transition zones where the flow of water, the cycling of nutrients, and the energy of the sun meet to produce a unique ecosystem. That is most productive in the world Wetlands in Nigeria • Globally wetlands are estimated to cover about 6% of the earth surface. • In Nigeria wetlands cover 28,000km2 about 3% of the surface • There are 14 major wetland belts in Nigeria. These are : Sokoto- Rima, Komadugu Yobe, Lake Chad, upper Niger and Kainji Lake, middle Niger-Lokoja-Jebba, Lower Kaduna, lower Benue, Cross River, Lower Niger, Niger Delta, Benin-Owena and Okumu, Lagos lagoon and Lekki peninsula, Functions of Wetlands Direct functions • Fish • Fibre • Water • habitat • Scientific research • Water purification Functions of Wetlands Indirect functions •Ecosystem functions • Provision of food to animals and plants • Pollinators • Seed dispersers • Carrion feeding • Carbon store functions Functions of Wetlands Non- use functions. • Biodiversity • Gene pool factors mitigating against the sustainable use of wetland resources Direct factors Construction of dams Agriculture Urbanisation Deforestation factors mitigating against the sustainable use of wetland resources Indirect factors Climate change Overharvesting and overexploitation Introduction of alien species pollution Salvaging the wetlands in Nigeria • Develop appropriate policy for sustainability of wetlands • Remove the exixting pressures on wetlands • Regulate agricultural practices in wetlands • Regulate human settlement pressure on wetlands • Regulate the discharge of industrial and domestic wastes in to wetlands Conclusion •Wetlands provide several important services to man. •These services will be lost when wetlands disappear •Water, fish and birds in particular will suffer •Therefore there is the need to for proper management of wetland ecosystems. Thank you For listening.