EVALUATION OF HUMAN-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION IN RIVER OMINLA RIPARIAN CORRIDOR IN ORE TOWNSHIP, ONDO STATE, SOUTH WESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was aim to assess the condition resulted from riparian encroachment in the study area with a view to provide a baseline information for urban and surface water sustainable development. Primary and secondary data were employed. Primary data involved field survey using questionnaire in which 245 copies were administered to the selected riparian residents to evaluate their perception and experience on human effects on riparian vegetation, water body and resultant problems. Secondary data involved an existing relevant data. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The survey results showed that urban growth had resulted to loss of farmland/garden (73.9%), riparian natural forest (86.1%), medicinal tree/herbs and shrub (77.1%), and useful timbers (62.8%). Riparian deforestation had also resulted to high sedimentation of the river basin (77.6%), increased river seasonal volume (76.7%),enhanced access of solid particles/materials into the river (76.7%), loss of riparian animals (82.9%), pollution of the river (75.5%) riparian flooding (75.9%) that subsequently resulted to loss of lives and properties (84.1%) and loss of valuable plant (95.9%).Therefore, the study concluded that there is significant negative effects of anthropogenic activities on River Ominla Riparian corridor and that this requires urgent attention.