This document discusses land degradation and human vulnerability in Anambra State, Nigeria. It finds that Anambra State has the highest concentration of degraded land in the country, with 65% of the nation's gully erosion sites. The degradation is caused by both natural factors like climate and geology as well as human activities like deforestation, farming practices, mining, and poor drainage systems. Over 40% of the state's land area is severely degraded by gullies, with additional land being moderately or mildly affected. The degradation has negatively impacted communities through displacement, property and life losses, farmland losses, and infrastructure destruction. It also discusses traditional methods for controlling erosion and how understanding land degradation can inform disaster risk reduction policy

1. Ecological challenges of land degradation
and human vulnerability in Anambra State,
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
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Nigeria.
Chizoba Chinweze,
Chemtek Associates,
Nigeria.
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2. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
The Study Area
• Anambra State is in the south-eastern
zone of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, West Africa,
Africa.
• The state has the highest
concentration of degraded land
(gully sites) in the country which
represents 65% of incidence in
the country at large.
• The causative agents of land
degradation are both climatic,
geologic and anthropogenic.
• Anthropogenic forces (human
activities) include; deforestation,
unsustainable farming practice,
laterite mining, poorly
constructed drainage system,
path and roads.

3. Landuse & Landcover Mapping Scenarios of the State
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org

4. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Land Degradation (Gully Erosion) Survey
• Image Classification of
Gully Erosion Severity in
the State.
 The state has 65% of the
gully erosion incidence of
the whole nation.
 1769.52 km2 of the land
area of the state or 40.1%
are severely gullied
 1316.58 km2 or 27.8% are
moderately gullied
 1416.12 km2 or 32.1% are
mildly gullied.

5. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
The Major/Active Gully Erosion Sites
Umuchiana-Ekwuluobia Gully site A section of Nanka Gully site
Gully Erosion site at Agulu Erosion site at Obosi

6. Human Vulnerability to Land Degradation:
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
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Gully Erosion.
• The consequences of land degradation in this instance gully
erosion is better imagined; every community in the state has
their own story of woes.
• The major issue of concern includes;
 Displacement of communities
 Loss of lives and property
 Loss of farmland
 Destruction of Highways, link roads and infrastructural
development
Destruction of economic development potentials

7. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
Human Vulnerability:
Human Displacement & Destruction of Infrastructure
Highway cut A Displaced community at Nanka off by gully erosion at Ekwulobia

8. Traditional Knowledge in Gully Erosion/Land
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
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Degradation Control
• Local community effort
 Use of locally made baskets and
 Planting indigenous plants
 Use of sand bags
 Digging of shallow pits

9. Added value for the Post 2015 Framework for
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
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Disaster Risk Reduction
• How did your work support the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for
Action:
– Our work adds to the knowledge on ecological sensitive areas in Anambra State .
– It seeks to enhance consideration for the integration of disaster risks associated with
land degradation into policy development and implementation with a focus on disaster
prevention, vulnerability reduction and building of resilience at the community level.
– Adds to Science-Policy Interface.
• From your perspective what are the main gaps, needs and further steps to be
addressed in the Post 2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in
– Research: There is need for data sharing and to provide support for
technology/instrument use for disaster risk reduction/management research especially
in the developing countries.
– Education & Training: There is a major need for training and education to enhance
capacities and capabilities and for building resilience.
– Implementation & Practice: There is a need to integrate traditional knowledge in
implementing disaster risk reduction. Community-based networks need to be enhanced
on building resilient communities. Women could be a force in resilience building as they
play a major role in natural resources management especially at the local level.
– Policy: There is an urgent need to encourage and reinforce a science-policy interface,
which should be futuristic.

10. 5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014
‘Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice‘ • 24-28 August 2014 • Davos • Switzerland
www.grforum.org
THANK YOU!
e-mail: ud2001ng@yahoo.com