Effects Of Bush Burning On Agricultural Land
(A Case Study Of kabba/bunu local government area of kogi state)
Bush burning, also known as controlled or prescribed burning, is a common practice in agriculture with significant impacts on agricultural land. While it can serve beneficial purposes such as clearing land for cultivation, eliminating pests and weeds, and replenishing soil nutrients through ash deposition, it also poses several adverse effects. These include soil degradation due to loss of organic matter and erosion, decreased soil fertility resulting from nutrient depletion, increased susceptibility to pests and diseases, and air pollution from the release of greenhouse gases and particulate matter. Additionally, bush burning can disrupt ecosystems, leading to biodiversity loss and habitat destruction, which ultimately affects crop yields and agricultural productivity. Sustainable land management practices such as no-till farming, crop rotation, and the use of cover crops can mitigate these negative impacts while promoting soil health and biodiversity conservation.
Bush burning is a common practice used by farmers in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State and has greatly altered the original vegetation. Bush burning therefore, has become a subject of great concern to the society, especially the study area. The study was carried out to identify the causes of bush burning in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State Nigeria, examine the implication of the bush burning on Agricultural crops and the environments. A structured questionnaire was administered randomly to 50 respondents in Kabba/Bunu Local Government of Kogi State. Which include the following Villages in the study area:- Kabba, Egbeda, Kakun, Oke-offin an Aiyede. Sample descriptive analysis using table, means and percentages were used. The results of the study reveal that there is a gradual reduction and loss of plant species, destruction and decrease of crop yields, loss of soils through erosion, disappearing of animals’ species and reduction in volumes of water reservoirs. The study offered suggestions such as public enlightenment campaign through media on the need to retain our environment, wildlife mortifications. Projects be encouraged in all the state of the federation to improve the rural communities, establishment of forest fire service units of state and local government levels, involving traditional rules in reporting cases of fire outbreaks and large scale land resource development project be embark on.
PAGE
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of content
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction 1
1.1 Background of the study 1
1.2 Statement of the problem 3
1.3 Purpose of the study 5
1.4 Significances of the study 5
1.5 Scope of the study 6
1.6 Research question 6
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 Literature Review 7
2.1 Causes of bush burning 7
2.2 Implication of bush burning on agricultural crops and land 9
2.3 Implication of bush burning on the environment 13
CHAPTER THREE
3.0 Research methodology 15
3.1 Research design 15
3.2 Area of the study 15
3.3 Population of the study 16
3.4 Sample and sampling procedure 16
3.5 Instrument for data collection 16
3.6 Method of data analysis 17
3.7 Method of data collection 17
CHAPTER FOUR
4.0 Data analysis and presentation 18
CHAPTER FIVE
Conclusion and recommendation 27
Discussion of findings 27
Conclusion 31
Recommendation 29
References 32
Appendix 36
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Bush burning is a common practice in both savannah and forest zones of Nigeria and has greatly altered the original vegetation. In recent years our environment which was taken for granted has become a subject of great concern to the society. The biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem has been shaped over time and continues to do so. (Hamid, Usman, Elaigu and Zubaru, 2010). It is generally believed that the use of bush burning in African started about 50, 000 years ago (Adetunji and Onumadu, 2005).
Man’s environment is under constant threat from his own activities resulting from expanding population and this remains one of the biggest challenges to the quality of environment. Bush burning, whether as a result of a wild fire or a controlled burning, affects not only the appearance of the landscape, but the quality of the soil. The landscape may quickly recover after a fire with fresh new growth and emerging seedlings. However, bush burning has negative effects on soil conditions and soil may take much longer to recover.
Bush burning is one of the few tools available to an African man for clearing land for crops and still part of the system of shifting cultivation.
In some cases the fire spreads far beyond the confines of the farmlands uncontrolled and destroys the adjourning forest or wood land areas (Okonkwo and Kareem, 2009).
The causes of bush burning are both natural and anthropogenic. Climatic factors especially dry spells: nature of vegetation and wind speed all play an important role. When there is a prolonged dry season, and where the potential evaporation exceeds the rainfall during the years, the natural vegetation becomes dry and there-fore vulnerable to fire incidence.
As more land is being cleared and prepared for cropping, hunting and grazing annually, burning has become the easiest and most convenient method quite often employed.
Human activities such as land clearing and burning of bush by herdsmen in order to stimulate germination of new grasses are also causes of uncontrolled and indiscriminate bush burning.
The soil temperature reached during such burning ranged from 930OC to 10040OC as a result of burning different types of materials and the time of exposure (Roberts, 2005; Isaac and Hopkins, 2007). All fire, regardless of whether they are natural or human-caused; alter the cycling of nutrients and the biotic, physical, moisture, and temperature characteristics of soil (Isaac and Hopkins, 2007).
In many cases however, these impacts are either negligible or short – lived and thus have little, if any, impact on the overall ecosystem. In some cases however, the impact of fire on soil condition can be moderate to severe. The overall degree and longevity of this impact is determined by numerous factors including fire severity, temperature, fire frequency, soil type and moisture vegetation type and amount, topography, season of burning, and pre and post fire weather conditions. Studies by Roberts (2005) and Isaac and Hopkins, (2007) pointed out that relatively large-scale loss of nutrients and an alteration of soil physical conditions occur after a fire.
In many areas, the attitude change to one of total burning (wildfire) and this becomes a major cause of depletion of the environment.
This necessitates a research of this kind to ascertain the implication of bush burning on the agricultural land of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State of Nigeria.
1.2 Statements of the problem
In Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, uncontrolled and indiscriminate bush burning has become a common year occurrence during the dry season. This is caused by human activities such as farming, hunting, trap and seeking for fresh fodder for cattle consumption (Adetunji and Onumadu, 2005).
In the area, indiscriminate bush burning is a disaster. It causes large scale destruction of the forest and wild – life resources.
It destroys beneficial, crops, animals, micro-organisms, insects, birds, reptiles and mammals. (Adetunji and Onumadu, 2005).
Some of these animals such as pollinators and decomposers are very important, losing them therefore, upsets the whole ecological balance of the environment. The serious detrimental effects of bush burning in the study area have great socio-economic implication on the Local Government growth and development.
Indiscriminate bush burning has affected various components of the vegetation ecosystem of the study area. If proper steps are not taken to prevent and control bush burning in the area, the livelihood and survival of the present and future generations would be in danger.
Therefore, in the light of these trends, calls for the study that will unravel the implications of bush burning on agriculture and the environment of Kabba/Bunu L.G.A Kogi State of Nigeria.
1.3 Purpose of the study
The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of bush burning on agricultural land in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State Nigeria.
The specific objectives are to: –
1. examine the socio-economic characteristics of respondents.
2. identify the causes of bush burning in Kabba/Bunu L.G.A.
3. examine the implication of bush burning on agricultural crops in Kabba/Bunu.
4. determine the implication of bush burning on the environment of Kabba/Bunu.
1.4 Significance of the study
There is a great need to research into the effects of bush burning on Agricultural land. This study will give insight into the nature and frequency occurrence of bush burning done by the farmers associated with it and there by attempt to find the various methods or ways of preventing such.
This research also intends to suggest and recommend the remedies by which bush burning of Agricultural land will be avoided in Kabba/Bunu local government of Kogi State.
This study after completion will be useful to students of Agriculture, the community, lecturers and other researchers.
1.4 Scope of the study
The scope of this project is limited to Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State Nigeria.
1.5 Research question
1. What are the causes of bush burning?
2. What are the implications of bush burning on agricultural crops and land?
3. What are the implications of bush burning on the environment?
Effects Of Bush Burning On Agricultural Land:
Bush burning, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture or swidden agriculture, involves the intentional setting of vegetation on fire as a method of clearing land for agriculture. While this practice has been used by many traditional farming communities for centuries, it can have both positive and negative effects on agricultural land, depending on how it is managed and the context in which it is employed. Here are some of the effects of bush burning on agricultural land:
Positive Effects:
- Nutrient Release: Bush burning can release nutrients stored in the vegetation as ash. These nutrients, such as potassium and phosphorus, can enhance soil fertility and benefit crop growth in the short term.
- Weed and Pest Control: Burning can reduce weed and pest populations, as the fire can destroy weed seeds and eliminate certain insects and pests that may harm crops.
- Clearing Land: Burning can effectively clear large areas of land relatively quickly and is often used in regions with dense vegetation.
Negative Effects:
- Soil Degradation: Repeated or improper bush burning can lead to soil degradation over time. The ash from burning may initially add nutrients, but it can also increase soil acidity, leading to nutrient imbalances and reduced soil fertility in the long term.
- Loss of Organic Matter: Bush burning can destroy organic matter in the soil, reducing its ability to retain moisture and nutrients. This can make the soil less resilient to drought and less suitable for agriculture.
- Erosion: Without the protective cover of vegetation, the exposed soil is more susceptible to erosion by wind and water, leading to soil loss and reduced land productivity.
- Loss of Biodiversity: Frequent bush burning can disrupt natural ecosystems and reduce biodiversity by destroying habitats and killing or displacing wildlife.
- Air Pollution: Bush burning emits smoke and particulate matter into the air, which can have adverse health effects on nearby communities and contribute to air pollution.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Burning releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
- Legal and Social Issues: In many regions, bush burning is illegal due to its environmental and social impacts. It can also lead to conflicts with neighboring communities and indigenous groups who rely on the land for various purposes.
Mitigation and Alternatives:
To mitigate the negative effects of bush burning and promote sustainable agriculture, farmers can consider alternatives such as:
- Conservation Agriculture: Adopting practices like minimum tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation to maintain soil health and reduce the need for burning.
- Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems to enhance soil fertility, provide shade, and support biodiversity.
- Use of Organic Matter: Incorporating organic matter, such as compost and crop residues, into the soil to improve fertility.
- Firebreaks: Implementing controlled burning in a more controlled and strategic manner with firebreaks to reduce the risk of wildfires.
- Education and Training: Providing farmers with education and training on sustainable land management practices.
In conclusion, while bush burning can have short-term benefits for agriculture, it can also lead to long-term negative effects on soil fertility, biodiversity, and environmental quality. Sustainable land management practices and alternatives should be considered to minimize these negative impacts and promote sustainable agriculture.