The Niger Delta Mangrove Ecosystem and Its Conservation Challenges

Abstract

The Niger Delta region of Nigeria is a biodiversity hotspot, rich in fauna and flora, with robust ecological processes that drive the economy of the local communities. However, the area has not been formally recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot by international agencies such as the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Niger Delta abounds in several species of mangroves, but the most dominant ones are the red (Rhizophora racemosa), black (Laguncularia racemosa), and white (Avicennia germinans) mangroves. The mangrove ecosystem in the Niger Delta is fast being replaced by Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), yet no result-oriented action plan has been put in place to conserve the mangrove. The serious menace of oil pollution and overexploitation of fisheries and mangrove resources, in addition to environmental pressures, as well as poor recognition of brackish water bodies and aquaculture, causes serious danger to the sustainability of Nigeria’s brackish water and the various fish resources, wildlife, and, inevitably, the coastal communities of the nation. This chapter provides essential information on the rich Niger Delta mangrove ecosystem and current conservation challenges and recommends strategies for sustainable management.