Pge 1 of 24

1. Environment
ENB 204: INTRODUJC
EN
TO "ENVIRONMENT
THE
54
L04
Word origin,
2. meaning
Interactions and and usage
b.
interrelationships:
Geosphere/geodiversity
ere/geodivol p s : biot -soil,
biotic/biotic, biotic/a biotic and abiotic/abiotic

hydrosphere il, land, landscape, land forms, mountains,

C. fresh
o dnd
-

and salt
salt water, rivers, streams, lakes and seas and Oceans
atmosphere air, and -a
-

d. biosphere/biodiversity
3.
Ecology and DIOdlversity - animal and plant species, microorganisms

Environme
habitat, niche and nental Biology: Common Terms
conditions of
carrying capacity/limits life/environr habitat factorsS
or

ecosystem:
Ostudiable unit of
O environment
structural and functional
4. unit of ecology
Major environmental issues and
numan processes
overpopulation and associated demands on the environment
degradation and pollution (air, water, soil,
biota)
Giversity loss (biodiversity/species, ecosystems; geodiversity/habitats, etc)
giobal warming and climate change by ozone depleting
floro substances (ODSs), ChBoro-
compounds (CFCs), greenhouse gases (GHGs), etc
5. Man-Environment interactions
man's unsustainable use of the environment
man-environment relationship
O ecocentrism
------ biocentrism -------egocentrism
6. Environmental Conservation
protection, preservation, reservation or conservation per se
Conservation with a humman face
Hl. restoration
+Il +IIl =Environmental Management
For Environment And People
Environment as a:
home/habitat,
system,
oresourcebase/supplier,
waste assimilator, and
subject of study
 Page 2 of 24

1. "Environment': Origin, Definition and aning rele), fro

(to
fro
encircle), from
Environment: Middle English 'envirounen', from Old French 'envi 'environner

environ (round about/around) + -ment

(=surroundings) environment of somethirig
As
everything is surrounded by other things, everything is the envir
Environment is a collective term for the conditions of life
etc),
everything that affects an organism during its lifetime (radiation, water, alty
Iiving and nonliving circumstances of biological existence,
o
interactions and effects of the conditions on an organism and
vie
tne external conditions/factors, resources, stimuli, etc./surroundings with W tha
organism interacts:
everything that surrounds or around anything
O totality of all factors that surround and affect the survival and develonment of
organisms, such as air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, hurnans,
their interrelations,
tne complex outer bio-physicochemical system, of interacting components, tnat

function. as a
unit/whole (holistic)
gIves life meaning, e.g.bird (air), fish (fresh/salt water), elephant (savanna/fores
indirectly can change the phenotype,
However, the environment is not limited to present time
important since the history of life on Earth, i.e.
past environments have influenced today's biology
Organisms constantly interact with the environment for shelter, basic needs nd adapt
themselves to the conditions in it. The environment or surroundings encompass:
Complete range/diversity of factors like heat, moisture, air, etc.,
where organisms/biota live and their needs/wants are mnet, and
different interactions between animals, plants, microbes, soil, water and other non-
Iiving things for survival, development
The environment is a habitat - a specific location or occupied part of the environment by

organisms. The environment may be natural or built

Habitat Destruction/Loss
eliminates environments
Occurs throughout time/history of life on Earth, in varying degrees of severity
.loss ofthe (necessary) conditions of (existence for) life and
primary cause of extinction
Niche: functional role of each organism in the habitat (fundamental/realized), disjoint/
overlap
 Page 3 of 24

Word Usage
The word lds of
fields
environment is used to things and,
people in
different

knowledge (history, refer to

refer to many
ia In medicine and
geography,
psychologyfor example, biologv,
OlOgy, etc.) uuse the
etc.)
word differently.
things, places,
and
a
person's is the people, physical
events that the environment
environment and d e v e l o p m e n t ,
person person's growth
behavior, body, mind and lives with. the
heart. , I t affects
It affects

Human environment is that may affect

be affected or
by him, i.e., physical everything around
within and aro
5 Within and
man
understood
eatures, biota, man's beliefs and
actions, and the
more

features-climate, food supply, d, man wellbeing. We talk of

the 'home, 'work,
social', political, schools and
Chools and our WE our
'teaching and environment entails
the events and culture thata ing learning' environme
environment, etc. Historical
person lived in.
The physical environment is etc. around. An
made of land,
uo of water, trees,
land, air, wa
'electromagneticenvironment' dd e up
is the
evarious various radio waves that equipment
radio waves
such as radio and
radarcan meet. 'Galactic environment'
refers to conditions betwee
Droad
nis meaning subsumes historical cultural,
political influences and technological, natural, eoo
milieus within the environment. Thus, its e
rom the
totality of physical, economic. culturai, aestheticdefinitrosa
and social nd
and tactors
which surround and circuia
affect the desirability and value of property or wnic
also affects the
quality of people's lives,
t O tne
conditions under which any
pDerson or thing lives or is developed; the subtotal
of influences which
In ecology, 'environment'
modify and determine the development of life or character
has a more limited
components. This narrower meaning restricts it tomeaning
interacting living and non-living
the:
resources/valued environmental components(VECs), and
environmental factors and elements like:
o radiation, temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, fire, etc.,
o biodiversity and geodiversity
2. The Four Spheres
The environment's components are partitioned into four interconnected spheres:
1. Atmosphere- air (nitrogen, oxygen, argon, etc.), water vapour, CO2, methane, N,
CFCs or GHGs; pollen, spores, etc. It is further stratified based on temperature into:
o troposphere/0-12km/source of breathable air, solar radiation, heat absorption
/retention (greenhouse effect); climate, etc.; Heavy pollution ongoing
ostratosphere/12-50km; protective/ozonelayer
Omesosphere/50-80km,
o thermosphere/80-700 km), and exosSphere/700-10,000 km)
 water
water
of
o f the
the
Page 4 of 24 surfa
face of the surface
90%
of
Earth; liquid
ct.drth; liguic and
animals,
a b o u t

rivers
rive
r ivers and
-
o v e r s
ponds,
streams; nome to plants cover
er,
2.
Hydrosphere

the oceans, sea.eas,

lakes,

in
the air,
air
cryosphere/solid (sea, river ice,
snow

Earth in
( v a p o u r )

underground; gaseous
ground
frozen cle;
cycle; HeavY pollution
Hea

anet/mantle andongoing
and ter
caps
glaciers/ice

important
cO,
asCO sink,
Sink,
wa

f the
of the
planet/man
crust; lithosphere/uppermost
o solid parts arth 1.e. continental and oceanic rocks subject to soil
1.e. COntin.
the Earth

3.
Geosphere
of the soils/lane
layer
and
p e d o s p h e r e / s k i n

mountains,
minerals
minerals,
dna; particularly important; interacts wt
processes;
formation tartn.
of t h e
other
s p h e r e s / s y s t e m s
variety
of
variety
eolOgical features (rocks, fossils, minerals)
OEEOlogical
is the
o.geodiversity forms
and
and tural proce
natural
processes, landscapes), soils on our planet.
(land
geomorphology
ecOlOgical system
etary ecologicalIu
the
global/planetary (ecosphere) integrating all ivin
4. Biosphere a)an
and thelr interac+
d their interactions with elements of other spheresS
mega-)
(micro- to
organisms
hydrosphere,
e);
geosphere); ecosystems ecosystems; fnfoodwebs
webs; etc
etc
(atmosphere, of life
variety of
ole variety life on Earth
Far+l - all species of plants, animals and
whole
is the
o biodiversity
ecosystems which they -are part of.
microbes,. and the complex
Types o f Environments

Biota Cultural
Physical Flora Social
Atmosphere Fauna Political
Hydrosphere Microbes Economical
Geosphere
man-made (also
called 'built'),
natural and
desert, etc.) and aquatic(freshwater, marine),
terrestrial (tropical, temperate,
environment
a b o v e and below ground
-

Services
and management of Crisis
development
Types for the environment; unpleasant
causes

toxic environment - offensive, harmful, extremely violence,

behaviour like anger, depression,
to complain about it by their
people
Crininality, etc. unethical to attempt to
and,
in toxic settings
It is unacceptable to simply leave people behavioural
interventions or
whether using
nmake people adapt to toxic settings
put up ith'; people
medication.
i n t e r a c t i o n s are
endured, withstood or complains about the
toierated activities and around them;
th
what's
mmmo
onn.
tolerating com

a r e still
languish where they live by simply and
depression and e m p a t h e t i c ;

setting are less dramatic but

withdrawal reassuring

encouraging,
present
and
people are is largely
Ill. portive -interactions betweer ' i m p o r t a n tfor
the p e r s o n
growth.
what is 'inmportant to as well as what is experience
significant

balanced; people in supportive settings

 Page 5 of 24 are
tive
r e s t o r a t i s

p r e s e n t

who
have
people people
the for abandonment
b e t w e e n
good
IV. healing environmernt - in it, interactions healing;
neglect,

p r o m o t i n g
abuse,
and focused on developing wellness or pl sexual
which
physical, in
been wounded by prior experiences like factors

of
dients
time.
or mental health issue.
change
along gra with
an d wIth
a
time.
ble
f
faac
ctto
or s
tolerable/intolera
Environments vary in scale from micro to global;rances to
t o l e r a n c e s
th
t he
esse

organisms are distributed according8to theirtole m a x i m u m

ranges;

Toleration ecology: mini

Onecology:
minimum, optimum and
in
Zones environment

of an
Distribution: narrow and wide ranging specie c o n d i t i o n
human

of the
and/or
to any
Environmental quality is the state or a m e a s u r e

more
species
cteristics
of t h e
one or
space and time relative to the requirements
of varied chara
can
refer to
need o r purpose. It is a general term which
environment, such as:
and
a i r and water purity or pollution, noise, on human nedii
characteristics may have or genouypE
Lhe p o t e n t i a l effects which such (preservation
selection
selection processes resilt in natural
Environmental

variations in expressed phenotypes) i.e.,

success
e n v i r o n m e n t is the gatekeeper for genetic extinction
event
environmental
Environmental creation includes and follows an
environments
of new
offspring of
d e s t r u c t i v e process triggers the creation
in the developing
response
an adaptation
Environmental stress may lead to

survivors
environmental adaptations
adaptations are and geodiversity
nearly all biodiversity
i n t e r a c t i o n s of the
biotic and abiotic produce o v e r time
The dynamic o r habitat continuity
e n v i r o n m e n t a l stability
to
both directly proportional environment
to the analysis of the happening in the
Approaches measures that tell us what is
indicators a r e simple m o r e practical
Environmental indicators provide a
is very complex,
e n v i r o n m e n t . Since
the e n v i r o n m e n t environment than it w e attempted to
record
state of tne

economical way
to track the
and environment.

variable in the
every possible
understand the relative importance of
1. Factorial described tO
Delter

indicators are and p e r f o r m aan

nce
e The
Here, individual aeLeTining
distributian
in
environment
to the concentrations
different aspects DlotlC, etc. For example,
physicochemical, EudP eood
factors include climatic, dlsphere, tracked over time, is a
(DS) danlntidn
substances
of o7one depleting n.
ozone
environmentdi
isue O stratospheric
theto
indicator with respect
 present
are re
orative
the
people who ha
ave
IV. for p e o p l e
healing environment -

in it, inter
between
y i n t e r a c t i o n s
h e a l i na
gb
good
: use, neglect, a
abba
annd
doon
nmmeenntt

and focused on promoting

neglect,

been wounded by
developin i n e s s or
wellness or pro
physical,
sexual
abuse,

prior experiences like piy

p e r i e n c e s ike factors in which
or mental health
issue. gradientsof
along time.
Environments vary in scale from micro to global; changeto these factors and with tolerable/intolerable

organisms are distributed according to their tolerances

Toleration ecology: minimum, optimuno and optimum

ranges maximum
ranges;

m,
zones
in
Distribution:
environment

narrow and wide ranging speci condition of an

Environmental of the and/or to any

human
quality is the state or a measure
species
space and time relative one or
more
of the
requirements of
to the characteristics

varied
refer to
need or purpose. d B e n e r a l term which can
environment, such as:
air and water purity or pollution, noise, and human health
have o n
effects which such characteristics may genotype
(preservation of
Environmental seloeei
selection processes result in natural
selection
variations in expressed phenotypes) i.e.,
environment is the gatekeeper for genetic success
extinction avent
Environmental creationincludes and follows an environmental
destructive process triggers the creation of new environments
of
in the developing offspring
Environmental stress may lead to an adaptation response

survivors
nearly all adaptations are environmental adaptations
interactions of the biotic and abiotic produce
biodiversity and geodiversity
The dynamic or habitat continuity
over time
proportional to environmental stability
b o t h directly
to the analysis of the environment
Approaches measures that tell in the
us what is happening
indicators are simple
Environmental indicators provide a more practical
environment is very complex,
environment. Since the the e n v i r o n m e n t than if we attempted
to record
the state of
and economical way to track
environment.
variable in the
everypossible
L. Factorial understand the relative importance of
indicators are
descriIDed
to Deer
Here, individual aistribution and performance, The
to the
environment in ue g For examnle
different aspects physicochemical, edtpniC,
biotic, etc.

include climatic, tracked over time, is a coo

actors (OD5
n phere,
deoleting substances Stratospheric ozone denlati
f ozone
u e

respect to
the environmend
ndicatorwith
 Page 6 of 24

and
pendence
holocoen)

(from and
intercon nectivity organisms
i n t e r d e p e n d e n c e

Vity of
H o l o c e o n o t i c

2. the
emphasizes

of
i n d i c a t o r s .

That
That ic
is, the approach
holistic.
approach
Ihis collections
is
systems or
indicator

adictory, but they are

c o n t r a d i c t o r y , but the m p l e m e n t each

The two
approaches may
seem

individual
factors are
are dependent
den compatible
variables, or
i.e. interact. Thus,
other. For example,
be used to
encompass any
nything om the ecosphere (whole biosphere
' e n v i r o n m e n t '
could
habitat of
the nallest creature or
smallest

andgeosphere)
to the
ult both.
organism.
ambiguous
term which
is difficult
both to identifyand to restrict its sCope.
It is an
It is a term
that everyone inderstands and no one is able to define' Caldwell
understands

Notwithstanding, it
our economic
underpins our economic prosno
prosperity, social,
habitat/home - place/milieu where an organism lives or space it occupies, personal wellbeing as a
open system - structured of many parts that interact and function as a unit/whole
. r e s o u r c ebase - supplier of valued environmental/ecosystem components; food, etc.

waste assimilator-decomposes/detoxifies wastes, filters pollution, purifies water

. subiect of study - essential for peopie to understand how nature works

Environmental Science
Environmental science is the dynamic ineraisciplinary study of the:
o processes in water, air, soil and oigalisms which affect the environment, and
o scientific knowledge-base ror esld Diishing a standard which can be considered

acceptably clean, safe and healthyfor allife forms and the natural environment
within and between biotic and abiotic
it is the study of the interactions parts of the
environment. This field includes:
Environmental Health,
.Life, Physical and Earth SCiences, EConomics, Agriculture,
Industrial Design and Management, Sociology, Law, Governance,
etc.

3. Environmental Biology
of all the biological aspects of the environmeni. It
Environmental biology is scientific study
interconnections with focus on the:
explores the and their abiotic environment,
interact with others
i. how organisms function and,
and
man-caused environmental changes,
ii. consequences of
on Earth
how these
air, water, soil/land
changes impact life,
ii.
Nature and Scope problems like man-made GHGs

Theoreticai aspects identification

-
ofenvironmental
eCOsystems, etc
wastewater on aquatic
on climate and agricultural yield; e n v i r o n m e n t a l problems

the identified
solutions to
Applied- developing
our future
depenas on
Environmental Biology is important as

6
 Page 7 of 24

our ability to e v i d e n c e - b a s e d
ts about
a r g u m e n t s

understand and
environmental consequences and
evaluate

eva a nd
technologies,

actions
making informed humna
of of human and

.the urgent need todecisions based o

a r g u m e n t s ,

those
on
ethical
It is to
acquire improved
an
use the Environment
environment wisely environment,
and for
equitable,

and sustainable use of tarth'sunderstanding

anding of
of uthe
between the
not only to learn resources. That is interactions

about the that govern

living and non-living, scientific principles
SCientific princip environment
but
also to understand how affect the
activities
human behavior
numan behavior and and
Environmental Biologists are res environmental
quality/health

conducting impact assessments ponsible f monitoring

for
involving significant
field work. They study
how organisms
- tasks usually involving
interact with theesks usually environments, the ways
changing
Vironment, adapt to cnai5
environment, attempt at
organisms influence and are These biologists
proirering solutions in man
impacted by
npacted
proffering solutions in managing the by environment
environments.

Fields that "Fit"

environment.
the Skills of Environmental BiolOg'S
Food and Agriculture
NGOs
.Environmentaleducation tnvironmental &Research and
Development
Natural resources sector Protection
Conservation & Environmental
Environmental consulting Government sectors in the Environment
Biotechnoiogy Renewable Energy
4. Ecology
he word 'ecology' was first used by the German scientist E. Haeckel in 1859, but became
important in the 1930s onwards. From the Greek oikos meaning "house" or "dwelling, and
logos meaning 'discourse', ecology is the study of the interactions of organisms with eccn
other and their environment, i.e., 'all-togetherness of everything
Ecology emphasizes that organisms not only live within a habitat but are also affected by
environment factors and in turn, may cause changes in that environment. To help
understand these interactions holistically, scientists established the ecosystem concept
the structural and functional unit.
Levels of Ecological Study
.Species/organismal ecology: the study ofindividual organism's behavior, physioiogy
morphology, etc.,in response to environmental challenges
Population ecology: the study of factors that affect and change the size and genetic
of organisms.
composition of populations
. Community ecology: the study
of now community structure and organization are

interactions among living organisms

changed by
 Page 8 of 24

the
study
o f entir
systems, including the
uldding the responses and changes.
Ecosystem ecology:
ponents
t o t h e a b i o t i c

as of the
ne ecosystem. This field is
in the community
with such
large-scale
topicS

tilapld Comp
rgy
en.

and
nutrient
ecosyst
Concerned

habitat of a
freshwaterfish - nprises cycling
E.g. the lives,
water in
which it
the lake d mino.
m i n e r a l s , gases
in the
water, rocks dhd minerals of lake beded and
other life forms in itlike: banks, and
diato
O aquatic plants,
single-celled

ks and birds ththat

and
toms,
insects
other fish, lake on the live
In the case
o

of the tilapia,
System wOuld comprise:
the lake ecosystem woulet
fish
all the with
together
respiratio processes supporting and
t h e tilapia's habitat
production, respiration, affecting life
of the lake, feproduction,
as n
the lake, such
t h e flow of water in
and out
rainfall, decomposition of matter,
photosynthesis, feeding
of tish on insects evaporation, an

Barry Commoner Laws of decay of de ad materials, etc

to Everything Else Ecology
. Everything is Connected
2. Everything Must Go
Somewhere or There is No Such
Place as Away
3. Everything is Always Changing (Nature Knows Best
4. There is No Such as a Free Lunch
5. Everything Has Limits
ECology is a science, not asociopolitical movement like environmentalism. The
engages the Ecologist
in hvpothetic0-deductive ietnod to pose questions and devise testable
hypotheses about ecosystems.
SPECIES/ORGANISMAL ECOLOGY
The ability of an organism to survive the extremes of its environment determines its
reproduction. This is the basis of natural selection. The success of individuals in
an ecosystem determines the structure of the population in that ecosystem.

Animals can be categorized by their ability (or inability) to control their internal
environment (sait balance, water balance, temperature, etc.):
means to regulate their internal
Regulators organisms able tO use metabolic
environments in response to environmental changes.
Example 1: thermoregulation (temperaturecontrol at a very
temperatures
Healthy mammals and birds are able to control their internal
Constant level.
Example 2: osmoregulation ('salt balance habitats every year
i t h their

o m e species of fish can migrate from

salt to freshwater to marine
from freshwater
fish) Other species can migrate
Dreealn8 Cycle ('anadromous'
 idmpie
pie 1: th
te i: thermoregulation
Most insects rmoreggulation
cannot control
their bodies are their great degree. Rather,
usually the same
Example 2: osmoregulation internal body temperature
internal body
to any

environment.

Echinoderms (starfish, sea temperature

Emperature
d as the

limited to marine urchins, lacking an excretory system, are strictly

environments,
",
and
entirely
etc.) entirely
as sea water.
dh their tissues
d their have the s a m e salinity
We can also tissues na
categorize animals Dased heat and (2) how they
regulate their body based on (1) where they get their
on (1)
where
temperature:
ectotherm obtains
-

heat environment (a conformer)

primarily from the env 10SREN
Endotherm ni primarily
- obtains heat primari fram metabolic reactions (a regutdtO
poikilotherm -temperature regulated
nomeotherm primarily by envo
temperature regulated by internal mechanisms (a regulator)
-

nere iS a continuum of tolerances to varioiS

environmental challenges within and amon8
species. Beyond certain levels of any given
factor, a lethal range exists.
Adaptations are short-term responses to environmental changes. These are govemed Dy
the internal control
(homeostatic) mechanisms in the individuai, but the limits are set by
the evolutionary history of that individual. Individual adaptations to change may include:

physiological acclimation
Some species are able to physiologically ACCLIMATE (gradually change their tolerance
levels) in a slowly changing environment, but this ability, too, is controlled by genes that
have been selected over evolutionary time.
morphological change
Morphology may change in response to environment consider coat changes; sha
to environment)
changes of crustaceans
behavioral adaptation
an animal to respond relatively quickly to environmental
Behavioral adaptations allow
selection is ariven by ecological interactions
challenge and, evolution by natural
Abiotic components
particular regro
uepEnas on the climate; the combination
of a
The plant community Inc iditS) directly affects the composition of
and wind.
temperature, water, light,
the fauna (animals).
 of 24
Page 10
erosion ofSoil
and
c r e a t i o n can
plants)
ive in
T e m p e r a t u r e

contributes to and an
biota
(animals
area
ea
cold, warm, hot)
what
a f f e c t s

of
living tissues
tissues ic
1S a
challenge in
Water
balance

terrestrial and
c h e m i c a l

tto freshwater
The
environments returned
returned
marine
environments like dolphins and
s e c o n d a r i l y

have as tho
5, as the
that c h a l l e n g e s ,

ocean is now
species
osmotic
saltier than when
whales,
face their
ancestors left it ion & ccreation
& reation.
of
in
erosion
soils
component

important

a n d time ofvyear
Sunlight with
location

varies and tims

intensity
varies
with
location
year
chan
daily
duration
incidence
of the
sun
(seasonal
nges)
selectivo
angle of important
important selective factor in many environ me
nts, and this
light is
an
for
Competition species
s e l e c t i o n of
many
driven
hotosynthesis wavelengths
has s+hs primarily primarily
regions of spectrum;in the blue and red
photosynthesis
pho dnderwater regions have varying levels of these wavelengths, with
and blue light last
red light being lost first, changes (eg., circadian
reactt o light/dark cycles with behavioral
Animals and plants
rhythms)
Wind
Contributes to erosion rate
Vla evaporation & convection, desiccation
affects perceived temperature
affects growth form of plants
Rocks/soil
topography creates habitat
affects flora
content and pH of rock/soil
(inorganic nutrient)
substrate
mineral contact with
that
water in
affects any
Substrate composition
non-living
(abiotic)
associated
ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY
and their including
(biotic) entire ecosystems, inciuding
ecosystems,
communities entire
is all living the study of the
ofthe
of
Ihe e c o s y s t e m a. It is
area. abiotiCcomponents
abiotic
components

components in a defined to the

the nutrient
environmental response
response and
community in
nityin as energy
and changes in the
topics
large-scale
the responses such
with
ecosystem.
This field is concerned

cycling. Examples include:

forest or savanna,
 a shallow wetland,

The
Coral reef,
mangrove and
food web reflects
marsh,
levels of the flow estuary
feeding, known as;: of through ecosystems
at different
Trophic levels ergy and nutrients

primary (1°) producers

.primary (1°) organisms
secondary consumers- that can perform photosynthesis
(2°) organisms
consumers
tertiary (3) consumers -ganisms
at eat primary producers

quaternary (4°)
organisms that eat primary consumers
-

organisr that eat secondary consumers

.and so on consumers
Decomposers are a
organism:
Organisms that eat tertiary consumers

carrion) and convert special

it ack
type of consume
Onsumer that can eat dead, organic matter (detritus,
We also can into its inorganiccomponents.
categorize animals on
carnivore the basis o the exact type of food they eat like
Sis of
animal that eats
.
-

meat
herbivore animal that eats
omnivore animal that plant matter
-

eats a variety of
But don't forget... things (plant and animal)
detritivore eats
dead, organic mattar ldetritus),
-

but does not decomp0Se it

insectivore -eats insects
frugivore eats fruits
Types of ecosystems
Ecosystems can be of any size a much an ecosystem as is a torest or
small puddle is just as
a lake. On a much larger scale, the whole of the Mediterranean Sea is an ecosystem, as is
the whole of tropical rainforest of Brazil (biodiversity hotspots and
coldspots)
Natural: terrestrial (forests, grasslands, deserts); aquatic (freshwater a nd saltwater)
Man-made: homes/farmlands/factories/roads or physical structures; transportation
systems, land use practices, etc. Consequences of human alteration to the natural
environment, such as air pollution, loss of species, are also parts of the man-made.
Ecosystems/EnvironmentS are nature's support systems for life; providers of indispensable

goods and services humans receive from nature (interacting

ecosystem services or
These services are:
organisms, soil/land, water, air, etc.).
fresh Tuel, Tibre, water, natural biochemicals and
o provisioning services like food,
genetic resources

1.e., contribute to climate stability

extremes and impactsS,
O moderate weather
crops/vegetation
and disperse seeds
o pollinate
and floods
o mitigate crought
 Tow har
nutrients ana d and
ful UV rays
Ocycle/move

O protect stream a n d
river
channels

tal shorees
control Wo om erosio
O detoxify and
decompose
wastes,
geodivers ity
eeds and agric pests
and
O mainta in biodiver
ersity
soils
and
renew
their
th. fertility
generate/preserve
o hy
threatened by human
numan
Oday, these services
are
unsustainable
activities/practices.
Disturbances

ironmental

Major Natural
fire (hurricanes, tornadoe
oes, etc.
severe stormms
volcanic activity

Both ecology and

ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL
science
tOCus SCIENCE/BIOLOGY
on
environmental
nit of ecolog
unit of ecology interactions in the
and
studiable unit of theecosystem-
an
as the structural and functional defined
However, ecology is the study of
the interrelations of
environment.
living organisms at the
contrast, environmental
community or ecosystem level. In population,
science is a broad area
physical
encompassing both biological and concepts including diverse areas of study
seology, agronomy, meteorology, atmospheric chemistry, soil such as
biological responses of systems tO a
chemistry, water chemistry,
Cnriuence, etc. especially
human impacts
on
ecosystems/environments and P S.n it, these areas of stucd are integrated
and applied to address quality did yadLLy 1SSues such as
water, air, soil quality or
resource depletion and damage.
5. Interactions
No organism exists in absolute isolation, all organisms interact with the environment and
other organisms at different levels oT organizations for resources, mates, etc. Life as a unit
of interactions is the core principle of environmental biology and ecology. Types include:
a. Biotic-biotic
+/+ bee pollinating plants
Mutualism/symbiosis
Exploitation: predation/herbivory/parasitism +/ lion on antelope
Amensalism/allelopathy -/0 trampled by cattle
grass
+/0 remora living with shark
Commensalism
Competition (intra- and interspecific) -/- for limited resources

b. Biotic-abiotic

organisms and/or air quality

on water

Sunlight, water, CO, on primary productivity

C. Abiotic-abiotic
temperature on evaporation
 ecology, chemistry, study areas
taxonomy and biogeography,
geology, 6. Core

environmental physics, sta statistics,

policies, monitoring, auditing and

laws/conventions
environmental quality and (protocols, agre
n
Cols,
a n d modeling,

agreements)
on t h e
environ ment,

environmental resources environmental

and
Onmental impact
assess
rvation/managemen t
ment (EIA)
and

All
people respond 7.
to their envMan and the
conservatio, Environment

o r miserable is largely
determined by what environment.
Onment. Whether
u

Wn
we a r e happy

things
and
must be
presentsurrounds
us. For happiness or even
us,
'and other hapt
c o n t e n t m e n t to exist, certain

the e n v i r o n m e n t that we
value
use are also
things absent. Things in
called natural
things absen o r non-renewable.
be renewable
We benefit from resources. They could
Ources. They
co
environment
a
multitude of these and processes that
are supplied by the

central to
in
ecosystems,
nese
resources
resources

such as the essentials of life and things that inspire us and

our
health, wealth ucn essentidi two broad levels for:
are often valued in
wellbeing. They o
and wellbeing, They are
intrinsic or existence value,d
and
utilitarian values including:
cColomic and
widn ves in the
ecosystem services: Scientific and aestneuc
environment. dralwc ait naods /wants from it, creates social institutions,
ues pOicies for his existence, interest M/elfare and uses environmental resources and
technologies to generate wealth.
a i y man was happy to kill wild creatures for food and other resources and to protect the
Tamily from danger and waste was simply discarded. His impact on the environment wads
extremely small; technology available was extremely limited and human population was
very low. Today worldviews have been:
Ecocentrism
Fear and respect for nature by hunter/gatherer
stewardship of nature by faith
romanticism and nature in art, music, poetry, literature for its beauty
ii. Biocentrism
utilitarianism and nature
advocate balance or pleasure for all lIving things in "Rights" - Human, Animal Rights

ii Egocentrism/self-centeredness

Since the late 18" and early 19th centuries

Modern" man-nature relationship
1.e., on the concept that 'man is above nature and for man'
imperialism over nature,
used to t a m e / overcome' nature's threats and challenges
science and technology

2
 Page 14 of 24

affluence on
the environment are well known like
environmer

the depletion of
The impacts of
ciated pollu
polution, etc. all contribute to
a s s o c i a t e d

the destruction of
creation of w a s t e s ,
resources, verts
also exerts
da enegauive
g a t i v e imr
impact on the environment. Out of the
services. Poverty
ecosystem
intries have
countries
n a v e little ch
choice but to eke out their basic needs
exigencies of survival, poorest base
resource
fromfragile ecological
a
and livelihoods
anvironment is
environment Over-exploited for its resources valued tor
is Over-exploiterd
Present Situation is that the
(national/international
and legaiylllegal markets); other values are very often
trade only unplannea Ihndustrialization to satisfy the overpopulated.
ignored, increased pollution from
Use of the environment has been very uoudnable. Signs or indicators of which include

rapid depletion, environmentdi ueg ddation, biodiversity/geodiversity loss, etc.

resource

Today, human overpopulation and associated increased demands on the environment is

causing a significant increase in:
environmental destruction,
environmental resources extinctions,
and

loss of diversity (bio- and ge0)

Irresponsible overpopulation threatens the future of humanity and conditions of too many
other lives and non-living resources, landforms, landscapes, climate. Overpopu lation and
environmental degradation create a situation that selects against humanity. Thus, the
environment/conditions of life will:
continue to control the destiny of humanity
ultimately determines the standard at which human overpopulation
occurs

the worst example, is yet to come. It

Unsustainable human population growth tragedy, as
w i l l certainly come, and
growth on the planet
will happen at the location of the highest population
to greenhouse gas emissions, which are
Global warming is inevitable, and it is not just due
raise their
Overpopulated countries
out-of-control as presently
increasingly spiraling
standard of living.
human life
human life and the quality of
At ISSue IS a choice between the quantity of
environment
a
qualty humanlife requires a quality
humanity if humanity does not
provide for the
ne environment cannot provide
for environmentally-aware.
more
become
Ehvironment; it is in the
best interest ofall to environment
consideration of the
increased
unon
primarily depends today.
ivai omorrow
nt of all women,

today, as well as the education and empowern

 All natural until
n until th
8. E n v i r o n m e n t

dawn
environments/ecosystems State of the by m aan
ffected by
u n a t t e c t e d

of
continuescivilization.
were
and e as humankine
as humankind

misuse Today,
u n s u s t a i n a b l e
balanced

to are S are been

ich are
are
man- crisis which
man-nature
adversely affecting healthenvironment.
the nViron relatioure relationship
has

is current
environmental

result
The
wont. The
and res include:

Pollution- and
of water, air, well-being of life
Ing of lITe
mS. 1n
They
forms.

Loss/degradation -of habitats,

Human
soils/land, bioto
biota and ecosystems
(bio- and
geodiversity),

resulting in the
population growth
depletion of habitats, ecoc nd and
, biota and
associated
demands
and
wants

ecosystems associanmenta
resources,

Improper land
e n v i r o n m e n t a l / n a t u r a l

use and en
e m s and
in biological
productivity,

Alterations in the
changes
resulting
esulting in
in adve adverse changes
limatic changes
caused by
caused
climatic

ozone-depleting earth-atmosphere
e earth-at
large-scale
phere syste
system,
(GHGs)
The Earth is substances
Substanco
(ODSs) and
ODSs) and ggree
reenhouse
gases

becoming a different
planet: reported
before o u r eyes:
daily and right
global climate change, ldnet; reported ad from population
nopulation and
dit development,
loss
at a scale and rate e cspecies
habitat
and habitat iOS
i e s and in recorded history,
of
environmental change
anvthing
beyond anything in re
a global population size nearing the 'carryingDeyo
ronmental change
capacity
t ofof the planet the planet
9. Conservation
Recent decades have seen the growth of interest and concerns by scientists from diverse

argue and
disciplines (biology,chemistry, atmospheric science, etc.). They strongly
duvocae Tor reducing, halting or reversing adverse environmental changes from numa
in 19/2
to)
dCtlvitles. Numerous global conferences on the environment from(Stockholm
and
Riode Janeiro in 1992 and Buenos Aires in 199g8, etc. brought together politiCians in
-

debate
environmentalists and have raised the profile of environmental issues through
the public arena.
are creating a growing need for
The magnitude and complexity of environmental problems
in environmental science. Thus, need to:
scientists with vigorous, interdisciplinary training
monitor the quality of the environment,
human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems/
interpret the impact of
environments, and
ecosystems/environments
managing
develop strategies for
' c o n s e r v a t i o n ' is one which
has gone in and out of fashion. During the 1960s and
 Page 16 of 24
uSe of
hum the
That
ows
a l l o w s

T h a t 1s, environment while minimizins

Environ
nmental
agement

keeping
c a u s e .

control of our activities so

and damage
t h a t it
viron
ent aand its
may ment

resources. Called 'holistic that w

t h e en
impact

do
to
whatever
maintai ty
geodive rsity
that bene
benefits that
both the management
environment and people in:
biodiversity
and threat trom
ader thr human
under

ntegrates
onments

ls in
needsi activities like draining wetlands
protection- en potential future

mind,
onments damaged bye.g.,people or animals,
1. in zoos or reserves
-for ments
of en viron
p r e s e r v a t i o n

2.

3.
restoration
repair
ponds
enrestocking rivers after pollution incidents
and
restockin e.g. planting
Woodland,

elements
clearing

ofthe planet
biodiversIty
-biodiversity and
geodive rsity -

that are both valued and

Managing civilized society.
measure
of a
is a
that
reatened

A detailed
erstanding ofthe
processes

operate in cosystems/environments is thus

We also need to
We
required for their
m a n a g e m e n t .

understand the effect that human

activities have on the m,
and how mignt best
w people might people
manage them for the future.
Strategic approaches
avtinction, vuinerable, flagship, charismatic
desertification control, etc.
species; air, water,
soil pollution,
holistic- environment as a unit/whole/ecosystem; diversity hot- and coldspots
combinational
Conservation methods
parks, reserves, etc.
i n situ (on-site), e.g., national
ex situ (off-site), e.g., zoos, botanic gardens,

indigenous resource management (IRM) practices,

industrial management prOcesses,
individuals at domestic level, e.g, What we buy, use and throw away

Efficient and responsible use of natural/environmental resources will be a new engine to

This calls for:
power socially equitable and environmentally benign economic growth.
a
resource base and environmental
decoupling the rate of economic growth from escalating
degradation
improved
For exampie, good experiences on technology prospects for decoupling through
and other major resource assets.
productivity in the use of energy, water, land, materials
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
10. environmental organizations
COncerns have been publicly presented and argued for, by
Ihe list of greeny
governments in many countries.
dna nave been placed on the agenda of well-
comprehensive, but it does ofter a
C v O n m e n t a l organizations below is
certainly not ones currently
and notable
active, dynamic
of some of the n r o m i n e n t ,
dpsnot
Working Tor many green, brown and hlue causes. Theyinciuae
 The United Nations
coordinates its EnvironmentactiProgramme UNEP agency of United Nations
and
(UNEP) is
an

environmental
environmentally SOund vities, TOgramme

assisting velopl6
developing
countries in implementing
its first
director, as a
result, policies Vities,
and founded by MauriceStrong,
Conference) June in
of the
UN Onference
Con
practices
ractices. It
on the
was

Human
Environment
(Stockholmn

United Nations 1972 and has verall overall respo

responsibility for
problems among
environmental

agen cies.
addressing climate change However, er, international
talks specialized issues,
on
such as

by other UN
are
overseen

organizations, like the Bonn-basedmbating

or
combating desei Framework Convention on Climate
desertification,

Change and the UN Secretariat of

ecretariat the UN
of the
UN Environment
Convention to CombatDesertification marine
activities cover a issues regarding
wide range
the atmosphere,
and d
terrestrial ecosystems, environmental wide range of
or
su and green economy. It has played a

significant role in developingenvironmentalgovernant

Onmental governance
u

environmental
environmental conventions, promoting
co can be implemented in conjunction
SCience and information and illustrating the way those
wtn
policy, working on the development and implementation of policy with nationai
governments, regional institutions in coniunction with environmental non-governmental
OrBanizatlons (NGOs). UN Environment has also been active in funding and implementin8

environment related development projects.

such as
UN Environment has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties on issues
and
the international trade in potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution
Contamination of international waterways. Relevant documents, including scientific papers,

are available via the UNEP Document Repository.

IUCN
called the lnternational Union for thee
1948. It was previousiy
established in
IUCN Was
and the vWorld Conservation Union (1990-2008)
of Nature (1948-1956) Union
Protection ature (IUCN; officially International
Union for
Conservaton
o
The International and
duidu ntsources) is an international organization
of Nature
Conservation Sustainable use of resources. it is
natural
for d

of nature consETva education.

working in the field , Tield projects, advocacv. and
and andiysiby ic
in data gathering
involved
 Page 18 of 24 urage and
c o u .

assist societies
"influence, that any
a use throughout the world to
of natural resources
mission
is t o ensure
is equitable and
TUCN's to
t o
and
nature

ned its focus

C o n s e r v e

e c o t o g i c a l l ys u s t a i n a b l e " . w i d e n e d

has
h as
beyond conservation
develo.
elopment onservation ecology
ecoloBy and now
i n O n s e r v a t i .

d e c ades,
1UCN
1UCN
e l a t e d
inable
t o s u s t a i n a b l

sustalndoie
ent in its
past to
t o
projects. Unlike many other
Over the
izations,to influedoesS not
al orgd
issues
related d
not iitself aim
o r g a n i z a t i o n s ,
TUCN
TUCN
many otne
tries to to mobilize the public
i n c o r p o r a t e s

Intluence
environmental

It
e : e tthe actions of
tries
public
servatuiding
international

governme
c o n s e r v a t i o n .

intert of
of nature
byP
by
nature
infor
Inrormation and providing

advice, and thre

ents, business
w i c d e , and through building
in support

other
hest known
nown to the
Known
s t a k e h o l d e r s

is
the
best
and
Speci
organization wider
wide
der public for for compiling and
The
partnerships.

UCNRed Listof eateneapecies, Threatened

which assesses the
compilin
conservation status
publishing the
o f species worldwide.
CN ha
rland, TUCN has
observer and consultative status at the
Switzerland,

Headquartered inGland,
in Gland,
the implement-
in the impleentation of
a role several international conventions
It plays It Wac
United Nations. and biodiversity.
conservation
It was
involved in establishing the World
biodiversity.

on nature Conserva Monitenservation Monitoring Wide

and the World ECe Centre. In the past, IUCN has
n t r e . Ini
Fundfor Nature e s t s of nature
of ture over been
the i n t e rests over those of
criticized for placing
+he b business sector have caused
u s i h e s S sector peoples. recent
In indigenous
its closer relations with the controversy.
years,
GREENPAC
4 071 when a group or
Greenpeace
in activVists put themselves
inGreenpea
Greenpeace
order toceprotest
Dega"
began nuclear testing off the coast of Alaska. Believing directly
that concerted action
in harm's way
from ordinary people is the best way - dccording to their signature quote from Margaret

AMaad the onlu wav - the organizatOT d S helped to stop whaling, nuclear testing, as well

as leading efforts to protect Antarcld. OW t nas Over 2.5 million members worldwide.

wWF
World Mildlife Fund (= World Wide Fund for Naturej
The iconic panda logo has made the WWF Instantly recognizable to many people globally.
With 5 million members internationally and over 1.2 million in the States, this 55-year-old
wildlife defense organization works to preserve nature and its creatures. From the
rganization's website: "We are committed to reversing the degradation of our planet's
atural environment and to building a future in which human needs are met in harmony
ith nature. We recognize the critical relevance of human numbers, poverty and
nsumntion nattornc to mon+ina+h nals
 ge 19 of 24

The neutral
expected
in the
andPCCs recent
tntergovernmental Pane man
panel's stunning. Any
Anyconclusion
&. 1sion t
nel
that human
on Climate
activity
is
Change (iPC
fueling globa
doubt
were
effectively
was
negate

analysis
Oth
ted
of
deliberation
thousands of papers. elibo last
ast
whichvestige
ges of nay
saying
and

of leading
scientists
and

The IPCC is an invoVOlved

hundreds

respected

independent
leading

scientists and, group

of

non-governme
rnational

The IPCC according to vernmental

the official
inte
climate

change
was
with an established to provide th
website and
others
i n t e r e s t e d
in
does not
ion-makers The IPCC
objective source of the
conduct any research the decis
decis about
climate
change.
Its role is
to

informatiOrelated
uormation parameters.

assess nor does related data

or
scientificC,
on a it the l a t e s t
monitor
technical and comprehensive,
climate
Onitor
climaand basis

of the risk of
SIve,
objective,
socio-economic Ve, open d open
literature
t r e produceu
transpaleyant to
transparent

orldwia
worldwide
relevant to the
understanding

impacts
and

human-induced
produced projected
and
observed
options for adaptation and
climate
ae change, its
change
mitigation"
WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION
SOCIETY
Wildlife Conservation SocietyWCS
runs a large
is unique in that it
saving wildlife, the Wildlife Conservation Society
E v o t e a to
Conservation society
reads: the Wildlife
System of urban parks. The official statement
conservation, education,
science, international
saves wildlife and wildlands through careful mission of
wildlife parks'. The
of the world's largest system of urban
and the management interaction will inspire
humans with wildlife in the hopes that
the organization is to
connect

species.
preservation of endangered 11. Nigeria's Environment
undisturbed
and very important
tracts of fairly
considerable biodiversity to
Nigeria contains semi-arid savanna
ranges from
Its diversity
of natural e cosystems freshwater
tropical forests. EnvironmentS, raintorests, vast
seasonal TIo00pldi largest
montane forests, rich v e g e l d i O . 1ne Nger Delta
region contains the
forests and
diverse coastal
third largest in the
world Ninoeti
swamp
in Africa-tne
mangroves industru
remaining
tract of m u l t i n a t i o n a l oil
ry.
its large
revenuefrom
considerable
 Page 20 of 24

Most of the land has been converted to agriCultural or pastoral uses and, encroachme
threatens the natural areas that remain. Desertification, soil eros ion and loss soil fertility
insufficient quantities and quality of water have followed in the wake of overuse

(Overfishing, uncontrolled logging) and mismanagement of our resources.

The oil money or petro dollars rarely trickles down to the populace who are generally

poor and growing poorer.

increasingly severe
The combination of expanding population and increasing poverty puts
demands on the environment, institutional structures and resources availa ble to manage

them.
ne technical capacity to deal with the enormity of the problem is generally weak and the

lack of enforcement of (and compliance with) existing regulations make for huge
institutional obstacles when trying to effectively tackle environmental issues.
State of the Nigerian Environment
Today, Nigeria's natural environmental resources and the quality of air, water and soils are
severely threatened. The status and threats to the natural environmental components and
problems affecting them are organized under three colour codes- green, blue and brown.
1. Green represents the foliage, which requires constant maintenance and care.
The UN succinctly defines the green as one that 'carries the promise of a new.economic
growth paradigm that is friendly to the earth's ecosystems and can also contribute to
poverty alleviation.
GREEN IsSues
Nigeria is tropical, rich in biodiversity and a variety of habitats/ecosystems (geodiversity).
calls for proper land use (crop, animal, forestry) to remain GREEN, prevent/stop:
o land degradation, resource depletion, and
o desertification

2. Blue water, focuses

-
managing oceans, waterways and water resources, i.e., brings
on
to mind issues ofwater conservation and cleanliness

BLUEISSues coastal and saltwater/marine (covers

water-freshwater (rivers, lakes, floodplains);
71% of the Earth's surface),
reefs
rich repository of marine life, food, sea-embedded minerals, coral
sea-based
of oil companies
and other aquatic resources but greatly impacted by the activities
includes:
implies water stewardship which entails and
efficiency, and
pollution and less waste as well greater
as
o less
recreation, etc.
OsUstainable commercial and
recreational fisheries, tourism,
conservation
control, waste handling and energy
3. Brown -forearth,
includes pollution
 Page 21 of 24

BROWN ssues a ||lly foss

largely depende on forms
o f activity,
especia

fuels like coal, oil and environmerntally

gas,
destructive

greenhouse gas
.one of the byproducts change-ca
using
is climate of water,
(GHG) emissions profile, massive levels ofdioxide and
1SS/ve levels methane);
pollution

air, land, etc., (including

dding carbon d carbon
industries and
Ambient air pollution generation,
and
emanates from three
three sOur
sources:
energy
population
transportation and, all increase
"Om

unplanned/rapid
urbanization,

economic growth with

with
matter <2.5
.the 'SIX' air pollutants PM25/PM10
(particulate
on health Lead, m o n o x i d e (C0),
and 10 microns in c a l t h (WHO) -Leao, respectively),
carbon

sulphur dioxide (SO2),aerodynamic

a m i c diameter,
diametel,
nitrogen dioxide (NO2), (O3)
natural gas O201
flaring- Niger Delta and other oil producins ities
waste-domestic, industrial; creation and disposal especiau
sanitation-public hygiene -rural and urban,
Ihe
underlying causes for environmental degradation here inciud
increasing poverty,
high population growth and migration, especially into urban areas, an

political/institutional constraints
Environmental Management
ne rederal institutional framework for environmental protection/management in Nigeria
has shifted
ias been in a state of constant flux for a long time, i.e. primary responsibility
many times:
in 1975> Ministry of Works and Housing
Ministry of Economic Development (MoED)
in 1988 Federal
(MoW&H) in 1979 Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA)
Ministry of Environment (FMoE) in 1999.

On another level, the overall National Environmental Policy lacks intersectoral

COordination. Thus, it has been iargely sectoral (not holistic), e.g.
The Ministry of Water Resources freshwaterresources
The Ministry of Health - environmental health

.The Ministry of Education -environmentaleducation

The Ministry of Agriculture - and use, agriculture,livestock,fisheries

The Ministry of Power and Steel-enereyproduction

The Ministry Solid Minerals-non-olmineralresources
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)- petroleum, etc.
 Page 22 of 24 Organizations Supporting Enui.

ac
SupNGOS are nmental Managemer
ent
bodies O partnering with the goverernment in the
A
n u m b e r
of civil
society

Some
notable

for
N i g e r i a n

environmental
C o n s e r v a t i o n

atu
NGOs ththat also members
are
environment
s e c t o r .

Union
Ni and of
(NCF), NIgerian
(NCF), Natural Resources)
Environ mental Study/Actioninclude
( I n t e r n a t i o n a l
F o u n d a t i o n

lUCN
the

the
Nigerian
Conserva
tion
Environmental esources and
Resources

Sustainable Team
(NEST),
Centre
for Ecosystems (CERASE) and
S a v a n n a C o n s e r v a t i o n .

Foundation
(NCF)
C o n s e r v a t i o n

Nigerian
1.

NCF
NCF
National retariat/Lekki cConservation Centre, Lagos
Secretariat/Lekki

NCF is the nier

premier TNaan-GovernmentdOrganisation
N o n - G O v e r n m e n t a l

(NGO) dedicated to nature

development Nigeria.
sustainable
developm in
rvation
Conserv
and
registered in 1982 Established
as a Charitable Trust under the Land (Perpetual in 1980, Act
Succession) it of
was1961
first-
hv the
replaced by
d Allied Matters Act
the Company and
company ahd
1990. It
of 1990,
Allie

a policy that
nd
was
as the rs Act of It was founded
Edu and, has patron
its patron the preci.
President and Commander- In-Chief of the
by late ChiefS. L. Federal Kepuoic o r geria (FRN).
Armed Forces of the
It has a Regional Office in Calabar and Froject Offices in Eket and Oron (Akwa lbom State),

Gashaka (Taraba State), Hadejla-ivgud Dgawa, Yobe and Bauchi States), Obudu Cattle
Ranch (Cross River State), Yenegod (Ddyeiba state), Buru (Taraba State) Omo J4 (Ogun).

lfon (Ondo) and Benin (Edo).

It aiso hds Oaborative Project Outposts at IITA lbadan (Oyo
Wildlife Sanctuary (Cross River State).
State) and Afi Mountain
The Foundation has a vision of "a Nigeria where people prosper while living in harmony
with nature". This vision
drives the full range of Nigeria's
itS MISSion to preserve

promote the sustainable use of natural resOurces for

the benefit of present
biodiversity;
and advOcate actions that minimize pollution and wasteful
and future generations;
utilization ofrenewable resOurces.
conservation and sustainable
environmental
NCF ma intains the lead in promoting
of natural resource management
in Nigeria.
development; thus, the institutional symbol nature
foundation has developed unique
Tnrough its proiects.
conservation the ecosystem
while maintaining
that cater for the needs of people and the
COnservation strategies communities, corporate
bodies

s p e c t r I m of local
Sldoity. It works across the
various tiers of Government using evidence-baseddtti
 Prol

and member of International unio Society

cociety for tthe
he
Nature (wWF) Royal I n t e r n a t i o n a l
(hFl).
international partners include
Other notable Fauna
and
Flora i n s t i t u t i o n s ,

(RSPB), Wetlands International (WI) as well as a NGOs,

G o v e r n m e n t

vision
w i t h the
e n v i r o n m e n t a l

share its
NCF forges strong partnerships wIth other
c o m m u n i t i e s
that e n v i r o n m e n t .

the
business community, academia and rural-urban
protect
union
to

aim of building and sustaining a more lasting e n v i r o n m e n t a l

problems

Conservation Projects run

to solving the long
which cut across Nigeria are
dedicated
and in
NCF projects host
communities

projects
include:

through the improvement

of livelihood of the Some of these
community.

protecting the vast biodiversity inherent in the

Akwa lbom State: Nipa Palm Utilization Project Reserve,

Obuau
ae
Nature
Cross River State: Management
of Becheve

Edo State Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Project

Gombe & Jigawa States: Wing Over
Wetlands (WOw)
Conservation Centre (LCC) Project
Lagos State: Lekki Shasha
Conservation
-

-Oluwa
Osun States: Omo
Ogun, Ondo and Research
Institute (APLOR),
Mambilla and Donga sitesS
Leventis Ornithological
Plateau State: A. P.
Management Project,
State: Participatory
Forest
araba

Area Programme
Important Bird in Nigeria
the following policy
NCF'S work has
made major input into -
1984
Conservation Strategy
the National
Development of Decree -
1985
Endangered Species
Enactment of the the
e n v i r o n m e n t - 1 9 9 7

Vision 2010 on Nigeria's

Development ofthe on the drafting of
of Forestry
Federal Department
Collaborated with the
-2000. Environmental
National Forestry Law establishment of the defunct
Federa!

a lead
role in the Environment.
NCF played now
Federal Ministry of
(FEPA) endorsed eleven
Protection Agency
Uhiversity
Commission (NUC)
of National environmental
Facilitated the publication on
hvironmental
Education as
materials
volumes of textual institutions in Nigeria.
resource
for tertiary Environmental Study/
curriculum
Lehsnrale in the
establishment
e stablishn
of the Nigerian
supportive
role
Played
Action Team (NEST).

02
 Page 24 of 24 ation and Sustain
C o n s e r v a t i o n

Niger-De
lta
from
rom ainable Development (NDCSD)
the digm
shift
oil
dnd
E s t a b l i s h e d

a para oth
gas dependence to realizing the
instigate among
(2002)
to
Project rsity Team (NIt
trade
value of biodive
Environmental
S t u d y / A C t i o n

(NEST)
lJune 1987. NE
e s t a b l i s h e d

VEST is limited to environment

r i m aarily in ai
Nigerian

organ r i l y in
o r g a n i z a t i o n ,

2.

lt is a
non-for
t
profit atters ppriia
matters
Nigeria but with general global interest:
ble
development

promoting
research
arch publications
and sustaina on the environment and
participating
in and
sustainable development,

to secure the sustainable use of

secure sic+

striving
to
influence
policy
of
environmental
environmental resources,
vironmental and sustainable development issues, and
a w a r e n e s s

raising public action

on the
environmo
ent
popular allSOcial
all social
supporting le att
a

is to
empower
peopie and econo mic levels for sustainable
mission
Its environment.

interaction
with the

Objectives promoting
search into
research all
all areas of human interaction with the
Conducting and
environment,
disposal stakeholders
all stakeholders
cal of all appropriate information and perspectives
Placing at the
environment,
on the sta tus
of Nigerian
debate and e y5 awdieness on the consequences nf human
Stimulating
environment,
actions on the
Facilitating the development
oustdinable livelihoods at the giassroots through

enterprise systems,
peculiar environmenldl issues that attect disadvantaged groups,
Addressing
women and children,
particularly
With other organizations, local or international,
Networking and collaborating
sustainable development issues, and
involved in environment and
facilitate the attain ment of the mission
of the
Pursuing other activities that will
any
organization
nimaid.enb204_29102018---/profsssanusi@unimaid.edu.ng