PERCEIVED BENEFITS OF SELECTED WETLANDS IN SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Poor appreciation of Wetlands has been linked to their massive destruction in Nigeria. This results in a considerable loss of benefits on income generation, food security and environment sustainability. This study assesses people's perception of benefits from selected Wetlands in South West, Nigeria. The study was based on primary data obtained in a cross-section survey of individuals that were either resident and/or pursuing livelihood activities in communities around selected Wetlands in Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states respectively. The study found that the majority of respondents appreciated the direct benefits of the Wetlands especially in terms of their role in the provision of food, herbs for medicinal uses and building materials while only a few appreciated its environmental services such as windbreak action nutrient recycling and microclimate stabilization. The level of appreciation of all Wetland benefits among the respondent was low. Results revealed that age, Wetland share of income, activity type and location of Wetland are factors that significantly influence people's perception of Wetlands benefits. It can therefore be concluded that people around Wetlands have a poor appreciation of their benefits especially those associated to environmental services they provide.