In a recent transdisciplinary study conducted by researchers from Nigeria and Spain, the rapid urbanization in Nigeria has been found to be a major contributor to the extinction of human experience with nature. The study, led by Adewale Awoyemi, head of IITA Forest Center, explores the interactions between humans and nature in the Afrotropics, highlighting a significant disconnection between urban populations and nature.
The research team analyzed data from 600 respondents across four southern Nigerian cities – Auchi, Calabar, Ibadan, and Lagos. The main objective was to evaluate the level of disconnection between urban populations and nature, with participants ranging from 14 to 72 years old, reporting their frequency of contact with urban greenspaces, parks, and identifying nature markers such as flowers, birds, trees, beaches, and mountains.
Awoyemi’s study found that people have become accustomed to seeking leisure through television, video games, and the internet, reducing opportunities for traditional outdoor activities. This digital shift poses significant challenges to individuals’ physical and mental health and contributes to public health and environmental degradation.
https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0921-8009(24)00002-8
The results of the study showed a high level of extinction of nature experience in Nigeria, with lack of time, money, and proximity to natural areas being the main reasons for infrequent interactions with nature. The study also revealed disparities between cities, with respondents living in Lagos having less contact with nature than those in Ibadan, due to Lagos’ rapid economic growth and urban development.
One of the critical findings of the study highlighted the importance of birds as indicators of environmental safety and promoters of social relations and interconnectedness between people and nature. The presence of more bird species in an area contributed to a greater connection between citizens and nature.
To address the issue, the authors recommend tailored interventions that favor direct and intentional contact with nature, emphasizing the importance of education in bridging the gap in knowledge of biodiversity and its consequences. Environmental education through nature organizations is proposed as a key method to improve the value of human-nature experiences in Nigeria and potentially other African regions.
https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0921-8009(24)00002-8
https://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S0921-8009(24)00002-8
