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ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS OF FLOODING ON AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND ITS ENVIRONS
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
This study
focuses on the environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural activities in
Kwale and its environs. Flooding has been a long-term issue which affects the
inhabitants of Kwale. In many natural systems, floods play an important role in
maintaining key ecosystem functions and biodiversity. They link the river with
the land surrounding it, recharge groundwater systems, fill wetlands, increase
the connectivity between aquatic habitats, and move both sediment and nutrients
around the landscape, and into the marine environment (Apan, et al., 2010). For
many species, floods trigger breeding events, migration, and dispersal. These
natural systems are resilient to the effects of all but the largest floods. The
environmental benefits of flooding can also help the economy through things
such as increased fish production, recharge of groundwater resources, and
maintenance of recreational environments (Bunn and Arthington, 2002).
The
environmental resources in Kwale most especially the land and soil resources
are greatly threaten by flooding. The Kwale and its environ is covered by
beautiful vegetation naturally checking the menace. This flooding menace has
destroyed arable land for agricultural purposes which are the major
socio-economic activities of the Kwale people. The government in his attempt to
curb the situation has constructed a drainage system some meters away from the
major road to redirect and channel all the water flowing to the erosion sites
into the drainage system which is emptied into the river. Despite all this
effort, the situation still remains the same.
Areas that
have been highly modified by human activity tend to suffer more deleterious
effects from flooding. Floods tend to further degrade already degraded systems.
Removal of vegetation in and around rivers, increased channel size, dams, levee
bank and catchment clearing all work to degrade the hill-slopes, rivers and
floodplains, and increase the erosion and transfer of both sediment and nutrients
(Douglas, et al., 2005). While cycling of sediments and nutrients is essential
to a healthy system, too much sediment and nutrient entering a waterway has
negative impacts on downstream water quality. Other negative effects include
loss of habitat, dispersal of weed species, the release of pollutants, lower
fish production, loss of wetlands function, and loss of recreational areas
(Kingsford, 2000).
Flooding is one of the environmental
problems that have confronted man since immemorial. Flooding is a widespread
and age long phenomenon. In Kwale, flooding has created and causes untold
hardship such as destruction of building and properties, interruption of
socio-economic development of the area. Jon (2011), defined flooding as a
condition, which exist when any overland flow over an urban or rural area, that
is sufficient to cause property damage, health hazard, nuisance and the
obstruction of the socio-economic activities in the area. He went further the
types of flooding to include rivers flood, flash flood, splash flood and flood
bondages.
Agriculture
has changed significantly in terms of the production patterns and structure and
a significant trend has been the development towards fewer and larger holdings
with more intensified and specialized production. This development has included
an increased mechanization and use of fertilizers and pesticides. Biodiversity
has been affected negatively both by the physical changes in the landscape and
by the changes in the production methods. As the agricultural production has
intensified, all levels of biological diversity (genetic, species, and
habitats)
have declined in farming environments. The more intensive land use corresponds
for example to the decrease in the populations of farmland birds.
Many of our
coastal resources, including fish and other forms of marine production, are
dependent on the nutrients supplied from the land during floods. The negative
effects of floodwaters on coastal marine environments are mainly due to the
introduction of excess sediment and nutrients, and pollutants such as
chemicals, heavy metals and debris. These can degrade aquatic habitats, lower
water quality, reduce coastal production, and contaminate coastal food
resources (Poff, et al., 2003). It is against this background that this study
is carried out to examine the environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural
activities in Kwale and its environs.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Flooding in
key agricultural production areas can lead to widespread damage to crops and
fencing and loss of livestock. Crop losses through rain damage, waterlogged
soils, and delays in harvesting are further intensified by transport problems
due to flooded roads and damaged infrastructure. The flow-on effects of reduced
agricultural production can often impact well outside the production area as
food prices increase due to shortages in supply (Prosser, et al., 2001). On the
other hand, flood events can result in long-term benefits to agricultural
production by recharging water resource storages, especially in drier, inland
areas, and by rejuvenating soil fertility by silt deposition (Apan, et al.,
2010).
Damage to
public infrastructure affects a far greater proportion of the population than
those whose homes or businesses are directly inundated by the flood. In
particular, flood damage to roads, rail networks and key transport hubs, such
as shipping ports, can have significant impacts on regional and national
economies. Short-term downturns in regional tourism are often experienced after
a flooding event. While the impact on tourism infrastructure and the time
needed to return to full operating capacity may be minimal, images of flood
affected areas often lead to cancellations in bookings and a significant
reduction in tourist numbers (Apan, et al., 2010).
Flooding of
urban areas can result in significant damage to private property, including
homes and businesses. Losses occur due to damage to both the structure and
contents of buildings. Insurance of the structure and its contents against
flooding can reduce the impacts of floods on individuals or companies. As most
people are well aware, the immediate impacts of flooding include loss of human
life, damage to property, destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and
deterioration of health conditions owing to waterborne diseases. As
communication links and infrastructure such as power plants, roads and bridges are
damaged and disrupted, some economic activities may come to a standstill,
people are forced to leave their homes and normal life is disrupted (Kingsford,
2000).
Similarly,
disruption to industry can lead to loss of livelihoods. Damage to infrastructure
also causes long-term impacts, such as disruptions to supplies of clean water,
wastewater treatment, electricity, transport, communication, education and
health care. Loss of livelihoods, reduction in purchasing power and loss of
land value in the floodplains can leave communities economically vulnerable.
Floods can also traumatise victims and their families for long periods of time.
The loss of loved ones has deep impacts, especially on children (Bunn and
Arthington, 2002). Displacement from one's home, loss of property and
disruption to business and social affairs can cause continuing stress. For some
people the psychological impacts can be long lasting. Floods impact on both
individuals and communities, and have social, economic, and environmental consequences.
The consequences of floods, both negative and positive, vary greatly depending
on the location and extent of flooding, and the vulnerability and value of the
natural and constructed environments they affect (Douglas, et al., 2005). This
study “environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural activities in Kwale
and its environs” is therefore carried out to address the aforementioned
problems.
1.3 Aim of the Study
The main of this study is to examine
the environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural activities in Kwale and
its environs. The specific objectives of this study includes:
To examine
the environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural activities in the study
area;
To identify
the causes of flooding in the area;
To examine
the consequent effect of flooding on agricultural activities in the study area;
To identify
the various types of farm practices and agricultural productivity in the study
area;
To identify
the problems of flooding and areas seriously affected by flooding in the study
area; and
To suggest
mitigation measures to control the problems of flooding in Kwale and its
environs.
1.4 Research Questions
The
following question(s) raised by the researcher will be answered in this study;
What are the
environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural activities in the study area?
What are the
causes of flooding in the area?
What are the
consequent effects of flooding on agricultural activities in the study area?
What are the
various types of farm practices and agricultural productivity in the study
area?
What are the
problems of flooding and areas seriously affected by flooding in the study
area?
What do you
think are the mitigation measures to control the problems of flooding in Kwale
and its environs?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The following hypothesis stated in
the null and alternative form will be tested in this study;
There is no
significant relationship between the environmental impacts of flooding and the
various types of farm practices/agricultural productivity in Kwale and its
environs.
Crop yield
is not significantly dependent on flooding and heavy rainfall in Kwale.
Occurrence
of flooding in Kwale is not significantly depended on heavy rainfall, lack of
drainage system.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study
will cover the whole of Kwale and its environs and its to look at the
environmental impacts of flooding on agricultural activities in Kwale and its
environs. It would also offer suggestion (s) on the causes of flooding and its
effect on agricultural activities in the study area.
Therefore, the study will help to
unfold the deteriorating effects of flooding on agricultural activities in
Kwale and its environs and other related land use in Kwale, and also to look at
the various cause (s) of flooding and the areas mostly affected by flooding in
the study area and also to look at or proffer solution (s) to combat flooding
problem (s) on agricultural activities and socio-economic life of the people in
the study area.
1.7 Study
area
The study area (Kwale) is located in
Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State and it’s the administrative
headquarters of Ndokwa West L.G.A of Delta State.
1.7.1 Location and Size
Kwale is
located between latitude 60 09N and 60 29N of the equator and longitude 50301E
and 60031E of the Green Witch meridian. Kwale is a town in Ndokwa West Local
Government Area of Delta in southern Nigeria. As a matter of fact, it is the
headquarter of Ndokwa West Local Government Area which occupies an area of
816km2. Like any other community, Kwale is divided into six (6) quarters as
follows: Umusederi, Isumpe, Umusam, Umusadege, Umuseti and Ogbe-ani. Majority
of the population of Kwale are affected by water pollution due to presence of
oil companies in the area such as Agip Petroleum Company, Sterling Global
Company etc. and the people are prompt to different kinds of diseases. The area
also experience destruction of fishes, plants animal life.
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