AGRICULTURAL AND AQUATIC ACTIVITIES THAT DISRUPT BIODIVERSITY AMONG ADULTS IN OGURUGU UZO-UWANI LGA OF ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study was embarked upon to find out the agricultural and aquatic activities that disrupt biodiversity among adults in Ogurugu zo-uwani LGA of Enugu State. Four specific objectives with four corresponding research questions, and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design. The population for the study consisted of 2,665 adults in Ogurugu. The sample was 272 adult farmers selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Researcher's-designed valid and reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Percentages were used to answer the research questions; while chi-square (xl) statistic was used to test the null hypothesis at .05 level of significance. Results of the study among others indicate that high proportion of adults of Ogurugu engaged in agricultural (74.6%) and aquatic (73.5%) activities that disrupt biodiversity. Higher proportion of female adults (70.1%) engaged in agricultural activities that disrupt biodiversity more than the male adults (56.7%). Very high proportion of female adults (80.9%) engaged in aquatic activities that disrupt biodiversity more than the male adults (78.3%). Gender had significant influence on agricultural activities that disrupt biodiversity, but Iuul no significant influence on aquatic activities that disrupt biodiversity among adults. Based on the findings, recommendations were made among which is that Environmental Health Officers and Environmental Protection Authority should take cue from the result of the study to focus attention on the need to extend their coverage especially in letting people know the health implication of their activities that could disrupt biodiversity.