Environmental and Agricultural Impacts of Deforestation in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Deforestation is a major threat to Nigeria’s biodiversity loss and contributor to climate change. This research examines environmental and agricultural impacts of deforestation in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria with the aim of assessing the magnitude of change that has occurred among key environmental components or variables such as water bodies, vegetation, cultivated area, plantation area, bareland, and built-up area in Uzo-Uwani over a twenty years period (2000-2024) using geospatial techniques. The results show that water bodies increased by 1.02 km² representing a 485.71% change; built-up areas increased by 2.92km² representing 249.57%, change; vegetation decreased by (-288.77 km²) representing (-49.58%) change; cultivated area increased by 229.33 km², representing 82.12% change; plantation increased by 55.5 km² representing 1761.90% change while bareland remains unchanged. The test of change in land use variables reveals that there is significant difference or change in land use between 2000 and 2024 which is evident by the p-value of the test statistic of 0.50 being greater than 0.05, hence at 5% level of significance. It further reveals current land use practices that impact negatively on the environment and also provide evidence-based insights for policy makers in the state. We therefore recommend promoting agroforestry in cultivated expansion zones, or community-based monitoring in plantation areas as well as taking other proactive and remedial measures to conserve and preserve the environment.