ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF JIKWATHLAR SPRING AREA OF GARKIDA TAULA CATCHMENT, BIU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

The Jikwathlar Spring ecosystem is located within the Garkida Taula Catchment, Biu 
Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. The spring is deeply integrated into the cultural 
and ecological life of the Garkida community, serving as a spiritual, hydrological, and biodiversity 
resource. The study examined the tangible and intangible ecosystem services derived from this 
sacred spring environment and documented how indigenous knowledge and conservation 
practices have maintained ecological integrity and supported community livelihoods over 
decades. The study combined ecological field surveys with ethnographic methods such as Key 
Informant Interviews (KII) with community elders, women, youth and with custodians of the spring 
and the traditional leaders. Direct field observation, spatial mapping of land cover features 
around the spring and thematic classification of services using the Millennium Ecosystem 
Assessment framework were also integrated to acquire the needed data and information for 
identification and categorization of ecosystem services. The results revealed that the spring 
provides various ecosystem services including Provisioning Services like perennial water supply 
used for domestic use, irrigation, and livestock and medicinal resources, wild fruits and games. It 
also provides Regulating Services including vegetation and surface runoff control, tree 
microclimate stabilization and carbon sequestration. Other services are Cultural Services (sacred 
site embodying traditional spiritual beliefs and practices) and Supporting Services (supports 
biodiversity, including endemic bird species, insects, and diverse flora and various animal 
species). The findings suggest that this ecosystem represents an exemplary model of community
driven conservation that contributes to sustainable resource management and biodiversity 
protection. The study recommended the recognition of sacred natural sites in environmental 
legislation, and the support for local conservation efforts for sustainable livelihood and agro
ecological practices