Uwadiegwu Ibeabuchi
Abstract
Forests play an important role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and help slow climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide and store as carbon while fire, disease, vegetation conversion such as land use change releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In this study, InVEST model was adopted ...
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Forests play an important role in removing carbon from the atmosphere and help slow climate change by sequestering carbon dioxide and store as carbon while fire, disease, vegetation conversion such as land use change releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In this study, InVEST model was adopted using Geographic Information System (GIS) to estimate Carbon stored, sequestrated and design a REDD policy for Nigeria between 1984 and 2035. Total carbon sequestrated decrease from 4,856,430,592Mgha-1yr-1 in 1984 to 2,018,537,728Mgha-1yr-1 in 2003 and then, to 826,727.99Mgha-1yr-1 in 2035. Also, total carbon stored decrease by 15,594,440,704Mgha-1yr-1 in 1984 to 11,968,108,544 Mgha-1yr-1 in 2003 and then, to 11,115,581,440Mgha-1yr-1 in 2035. While, total carbon emitted increased from 887,287,616Mgha-1yr-1 in 1984 to 1,599,485,568Mgha-1yr-1 in 2003 and then, to 1,766,186,368Mgha-1yr-1 in 2035. Based on these, a REDD policy initiatives was adopted to improve carbon storage by sequestrating 4,619.97Mgha-1yr-1 and 912.85 Mg ha-1yr-1 in 2003 and 2035 while storing 4,619.97Mgha-1yr-1 and 4,679.19Mgha-1yr-1. To achieve this, a REDD policy scenario was created under the confidence area (at 90%) to increase carbon sequestration by 38% for2003 and 21% for 2035 which in-turn improves the economic benefit gained by $699,241.75 in 2035 compared to $406,799.63 in 2003. These plans acknowledged the importance of forests in addressing climate change and potential boon REDD represents under the Business-As-Usual (BAU) scenario.
Uwadiegwu Ibeabuchi
Abstract
Soil erosion is one of the major environmental issues which has caused considerable economic damage and still remains an intractable problem in many parts of Abia state. InVEST model was used to map the environmental and economic cost of soil loss by studying: (1.) sediment exported and retained from ...
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Soil erosion is one of the major environmental issues which has caused considerable economic damage and still remains an intractable problem in many parts of Abia state. InVEST model was used to map the environmental and economic cost of soil loss by studying: (1.) sediment exported and retained from soil loss, (2.) nutrient exported and retained from soil loss, and (3.) the resiliency of the hydrological basin to withstand changes from soil and nutrient loss using GIS (Geographic Information System)technique. Estimated total soil loss from sediment export was found to have a higher significant impact on the hydrological basin of Abia state than sediment retained. The model estimated nutrient (Phosphorous and Nitrogen) exported and retained against the economic benefit of nutrient exported and retained as well as the economic value of the basin for retaining nutrient over the specified time span. This found nutrient and economic value lost from sediment export higher than sediment retained. A resilient check was performed on the Abia state basin to ascertain the strength, ability of the basin to spring back into shape and withstand the pressure from on/off-site damage accumulated from soil loss, nutrient loss, and nutrient economic value lost. Abia state basin was found to have a resilient level of 69.20% low and 30.80% high in 1972, 19.63% of very low and 88.88% of low resilient in 1986 and 2003, while in 2015 very low resilient of 39.30% and 60.70% of low resilient. The result reveals a drastic reduction in the resilient level between 1972 and 2015 as well as its agro-productivity, socio economic equalities and overall well-being of Abia sate. This research highlights the fact that proper conservation measures needs to be applied to improve agro productivity, water quality standard and the general well-being of Abia state.
Uwadiegwu Ibeabuchi
Abstract
Flooding has become a major environmental hazard in Lagos metropolis in recent years due to its topography, population growth, rapid urbanization and extreme weather events such as rainfall. Seasonal flood inundation simulation was modeled and an early warning system was developed for Lagos metropolis ...
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Flooding has become a major environmental hazard in Lagos metropolis in recent years due to its topography, population growth, rapid urbanization and extreme weather events such as rainfall. Seasonal flood inundation simulation was modeled and an early warning system was developed for Lagos metropolis using DEM (Digital Elevation Model) from SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) and monthly flood stage between 1990 and 2011 using GIS (Geographic Information System) technique. Annual rainfall trend was studied between 1971and 2013 using time series statistic as well as seasonal rainfall distribution between 1971 to 1999 and 1999 to 2013. Seasonal flood stages were studied and used as input in flood simulation. Flood inundation simulation was modeled using HEC-RAS program for 1-in-20 year return period. While the flood hazard map was prepared based on flood inundation level. Risk assessment was performed to produce a flood risk map for Lagos metropolis. Flood velocity, runoff time, depth, duration, location and spatial dimension were captured, studied and used to develop a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) as well as flood discharge for Lagos metropolis. Affected Local Government Areas and streets were selected to study the impact of flooding on Lagos residents. Finally, research findings and recommendations were highlighted for Lagos metropolis.