Effects Of Livelihood Activities on Riparian Vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality of Upper West Region

Abstract

The riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality have tremendous significance ranging from physical, biological/ecological, chemical to social which cannot be overemphasized. Globally, the riparian vegetation provides a range of ecosystem services for the enhancement of the socio-economic well-being of settlers along the riparian zones just like what is experienced by settlers of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality. However, livelihood activities adversely affect the natural resources along the Basin and these activities have the potential to rein the continuous existence of the riparian resources. Despite the ramifications of these livelihood activities, not much has been studied about the effects of livelihood activities on the riparian vegetation. This study therefore sought to examine the effects of livelihood activities on the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality. The study resorted to the mixed methods research approach in data collection, analysis and presentation. The study also relied on methods such as questionnaires administration, key Informants Interviews, quadrat and direct observation to examine the composition and importance of the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality, livelihood activities of human settlements in proximity to the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality, effects of livelihood activities on the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality , and measures put in place to effectively ameliorate the effects of livelihood activities on the riparian vegetation of the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality. The study reveals that, the riparian vegetation of the Lawra Municipality is composed of herbs, shrubs and trees. The study also revealed that, crop farming and fishing are the most dominant livelihood activities of settlements in proximity to the Black Volta Basin in the Lawra Municipality. Consequently, the study revealed the ramifications of livelihood activities to include; low growth and productivity of riparian vegetation, reduction in species richness and relative abundance of riparian flora species, extinction of native riparian flora species, reduction in riparian ecological functions amongst others. Over cultivation and increasing pollution of water through farming and domestic waste were equally seen as threats to the survival and sustainability of riparian resources. The study also found complete ban of farming activities within the riparian zone to be the most effective way to restore the riparian vegetation. The study recommends that Government, NGOs and CSOs should sensitize the masses on the significance of the riparian vegetation so as to curtail exploitation