3. Impact of land reclamation on mangrove and coastal environment

Land reclamation impact the coastal environment in several ways (Table 1).

The Impact of Landscape Reclamation on Mangrove Forest and Coastal Areas in the Niger Delta… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.82053


#### Table 1.

2.2.4 Disturbance

Figure 6.

2.2.5 Agriculture

marine organisms.

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Invasion of foreign species in coastal areas is another precursor to land reclamation activity aimed at remediating the sites in the Niger Delta region. Nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) is the major invasive species [12, 13] in the Niger Delta area and has over taken many mangrove forest and coastal areas. The problem is that mangroves provide numerous ecosystem services to the local people while the palms provide no ecosystem service to the people. Because of the non-use of the palms they had been removed from several locations with the aid of swamp buggies as a means of mitigating their negative environmental effect. The entry of big machinery into the swamp had added more stress to the coast by destroying many soil-dwelling and benthic organisms. The problem of this action is that the nipa palm forest after being cleared is repossessed by the government for infrastructural developments, which rather than reduce the negative effect worsen the situation of the coast. An example of this pattern of landscape reclamation is found in a place called Eagle Island, Niger Delta where the mangrove forests were cut down and sand filled and

A conceptualized reclamation pattern in coastal communities in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.

Landscape Reclamation - Rising From What's Left

Agricultural activities such as rice paddies and aquaculture are embarked upon in swampy coastal locations [14]. These activities are economically beneficial to farmers, but inimical to the environment. This is because such activities lead to the clearing of the mangrove forest and other coastal vegetation. It also changes the coastal structure and lead to flooding of upland areas. The soil chemistry is also affected by the manures and fertilizers that come from the farm and the waste from fish ponds. A combination of these activities leads to the acidification of the river causing fish deaths and physiological and reproductive problems of numerous

3. Impact of land reclamation on mangrove and coastal environment

Land reclamation impact the coastal environment in several ways (Table 1).

later the area was used for developmental project (Figure 6).

Potential environmental impact of land reclamation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria.
