An Assessment of Local Community Perception of Effects of Landuse Land Cover Change(LULCC) on Biodiversity in Taraba Central Senatorial District Taraba State Nigeria

Abstract

Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) has significant implications for biodiversity, particularly in rural and ecologically diverse regions. This study assesses local community perceptions of the effects of LULCC on biodiversity in Taraba Central Senatorial District, Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach, combining structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations, was used to gather data from 840 respondents across four local government areas (Bali, Gassol, Sardauna, and Kurmi). The results indicate that a majority of respondents (44.9% strongly agree, 54.2% agree) perceive biodiversity loss as a major consequence of LULCC, with habitat loss (47.9% strongly agree, 49% agree) and pollution (42.5% strongly agree, 54.6% agree) also identified as significant concerns. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that land-use change (77.4%) and forest degradation (75.8%) are the primary drivers of biodiversity decline. The study also highlights community awareness of the negative effects of LULCC, although mitigation efforts remain limited due to socio-economic constraints. The findings align with previous studies linking deforestation, agricultural expansion, and urbanization to biodiversity loss but diverge in ranking climate change as a secondary factor. The study recommends integrating local knowledge into conservation policies, enhancing climate change awareness, and promoting sustainable land management practices. By incorporating community perceptions, policymakers can develop participatory strategies to address biodiversity loss while supporting local livelihoods.