The Chronicles of a Dying Giant

Spatio-Temporal Autopsy of Timber Exploitation and Forest Degradation in Cross River State (2000–2020)

Abstract

Timber and forest resources is on high market demand for domestic, commercial, economic, industrial, and pharmaceutical purposes globally. The spade of timber and forest degradation in recent time have assumed unprecedented dimensions in Nigeria and particularly Cross River State, Nigeria. This study conducted a spatio-temporal autopsy of timber exploitation and forest degradation trends from 2000 to 2020, examining the magnitude and drivers of deforestation in Cross River State. The study utilized Remote Sensing (RS) and GIS approach to analyze the scale of changes in forest cover in both Akamkpa LGA, which are notable for harbor of largest forest reserves in Cross River State. Data were obtained majorly from secondary sources from Cross River State Forestry Commission, environmental reports, peer reviewed articles and journals and were integrated to examine the pattern of forest degradation as well as the socio-economic factors driving timber exploitation. Result from the analysis of the remote sense and GIS data revealed a gradual but alarming rate of forest depletion from 2015, with an unprecedented increase in deforestation between 2019 and 2020. The drivers of the forest degradation were; intensified illegal logging, weak enforcement of conservation policies, and increasing demand for commercial timber products. The findings further revealed that a very large expanse of forest in Akamkpa LGA have suffered intense degradation, while forest cover declined by over 60% in some locations. There is need to revisit the forest regimes and strengthen the regulatory frameworks, afforestation programs, and community-based conservation strategies to mitigate further forest biodiversity loss.