ABSTRACT
Studies were carried out to assess the impact
of Nipa populations on mangrove ecosystems and livelihoods of communities in
Oron and Eastern Obolo estuaries, Akwa Ibom State. The following aspects were
considered in the research: socio-economic analysis ofthe two areas under
review, remote sensing, physic-chemical analysis as well as determination of
the polycyclic aromatic carbons (PAHs) contents of the two estuaries. A total
of 200 questionnaires were administered in Oron and Eastern Obolo. 100 in each
location out of which 85 were recovered in Eastern Obolo and 77 in Oron.
Demographic characteristics such as gender, age. years of working experience,
educational level, occupation and duration ot stay in the community etc. were
considered in the questionnaire. Results for socio-economic analysis revealed
that the respondents in both locations were familiar with the mangrove as well
as the nipa palm. A significant proportion of the respondents agreed to the
advantage of the mangroves over the nipa palms. Remote sensing of estauries
revealed a progressive succession of the Nipa palms over the mangroves w ithin
a period of three decades (1986- 2018). The result showed a significant
reduction (P >_0.05) in the population of mangroves and an increase in Nipa
palms, from 7610 in 2000 to 5540 in 2018, while Nipa palm increased from 3411
to 6229. Satellite imageries obtained for both Oron and Eastern Obolo showed a decrease
in the land area covered by mangroves while there was an increase in the area
of land covered by Nipa palms. Physical parameters such as temperature, pl I,
salinity, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids (TDS) all varied
within the transects and between the two estuaries. Chemical parameters such as
Alkalinity, acidity. Phosphate (PO?'), Chloride (O'), Ammonium (NH-j.N),
Sulphate (SOr). Nitrate (NOj’) were analysed using titrimetric methods and they
all varied within the transects and between the tw'o estuaries. Anova result
for the concentration of particles in the sediment showed that the proportion
of sand was highest in the two estuaries (91.40a±0.01 and 76.33a±0.01%) in
Eastern Obolo and Oron respectively, followed by silt, w ith clay being the
least (8.1Oe±O.O3 and 4.22c±0.02%) respectively, pll of the sediment varied
between 5.88e±0.03 to 6.94a±0.01 in Oron estuary and 5.42e±0.09 to 6.91a±0.04
in Eastern Obolo estuary. Other parameters analysed in the sediment included
electrical conductivity, organic matter content, total Nitrogen. Available
Phosphorus, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (1C).
exchangeable bases, exchangeable acidity, effective cation exchange capacity
(ECEC), base saturation were also analysed and they varied significantly within
the transacts and between the two estuaries. Analysis of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH) showed a significant variation the various transects and
between the two estuaries with the highest values of 45.3a±0.06ng/g and 23.3a±0.05ng/g
obtained from Oron and Eastern Obolo control respectively. In summary, the
outcome of the research shows a progressive succession of nipa palm over the
mangroves. This calls for urgent action such as awareness campaigns,
reforestation programs, government policies to protect the mangroves; if the
ecosystem services performed by these mangroves will have to be sustained.
-- (2025). Impact Of Nipa Palm Populations On Mangrove Ecosystems And Livelihoods Of Communities In Oron And Eastern Obolo Estuaries, Akwa Ibom State :- Archibong, Itoro J. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Oct 07, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/impact-of-nipa-palm-populations-on-mangrove-ecosystems-and-livelihoods-of-communities-in-oron-and-eastern-obolo-estuaries-akwa-ibom-state-archibong-itoro-j-7-2
--. "Impact Of Nipa Palm Populations On Mangrove Ecosystems And Livelihoods Of Communities In Oron And Eastern Obolo Estuaries, Akwa Ibom State :- Archibong, Itoro J" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 02 Oct. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/impact-of-nipa-palm-populations-on-mangrove-ecosystems-and-livelihoods-of-communities-in-oron-and-eastern-obolo-estuaries-akwa-ibom-state-archibong-itoro-j-7-2. Accessed 07 Oct. 2025.
--. "Impact Of Nipa Palm Populations On Mangrove Ecosystems And Livelihoods Of Communities In Oron And Eastern Obolo Estuaries, Akwa Ibom State :- Archibong, Itoro J". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 02 Oct. 2025. Web. 07 Oct. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/impact-of-nipa-palm-populations-on-mangrove-ecosystems-and-livelihoods-of-communities-in-oron-and-eastern-obolo-estuaries-akwa-ibom-state-archibong-itoro-j-7-2 >.
--. "Impact Of Nipa Palm Populations On Mangrove Ecosystems And Livelihoods Of Communities In Oron And Eastern Obolo Estuaries, Akwa Ibom State :- Archibong, Itoro J" Mouau.afribary.org (2025). Accessed 07 Oct. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/impact-of-nipa-palm-populations-on-mangrove-ecosystems-and-livelihoods-of-communities-in-oron-and-eastern-obolo-estuaries-akwa-ibom-state-archibong-itoro-j-7-2