Impact of Forest Management Strategies on the Sust...

Impact of Forest Management Strategies on the Sustainability of Forest Resources in the Calabar Education Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of forest management strategies on the sustainability of forest resources in the Calabar Education Zone, Cross River State, Nigeria. A correlational research design was adopted, and two research hypotheses guided the study. The population comprised 312,149 regular household heads in the Calabar Education Zone (Central Senatorial District) of Cross River State. A sample of 1,230 household heads was selected from four Local Government Areas using a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data were collected using an instrument titled Forest Management Strategies and Sustainability of Forest Resources Questionnaire (FMSSFRQ). The instrument was validated by two experts in the Department of Measurement and Evaluation, University of Calabar. Reliability was established using the Cronbach alpha method, with coefficients ranging from 0.78 to 0.90. Data were analyzed using Simple Linear Regression and Multiple Linear Regression techniques. The findings revealed that forest regulation strategy and participatory forest management strategy significantly contributed, both individually and jointly, to the sustainability of forest resources in the study area. Based on these findings, the study concluded that maintaining a sustainable forest ecosystem requires the implementation of effective and practical forest management measures. It was recommended that adequate forest regulatory policies should be enforced by relevant agencies and that community members should be actively involved in forest management practices.

Introduction

The importance of forest ecosystems to human survival and environmental stability has made biodiversity sustainability a key development priority for many developing countries. Globally, the drive for sustainable forest resource management is based on the understanding that forests provide livelihoods for local communities and contribute significantly to socio-economic development. Sustainable forest ecosystems also support the global biosphere by mitigating environmental challenges such as global warming, climate change, ozone layer depletion, acid rain, and greenhouse effects. This highlights the role of forest sustainability in promoting social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing. Forest management is a comprehensive concept that involves practices aimed at preserving forest ecosystems and preventing destructive activities. It includes the application of scientific, technical, and economic principles to ensure conservation, protection, and controlled utilization of forest resources. Effective forest management entails regulating forest composition and structure, overseeing harvesting and marketing processes, and administering forest resources and personnel efficiently. Despite widespread awareness of the importance of forests, there has been a noticeable increase in forest degradation in Cross River State. This trend suggests the presence of ineffective forest management practices and underscores the need for improved strategies to enhance sustainability. Forest sustainability is crucial for community development, as it supports biodiversity and provides essential ecosystem services that sustain livelihoods, improve living standards, and strengthen resilience against environmental and socio-economic risks.