Asian Journal of Current Research

The coastal ecosystems of South-Eastern Nigeria, are facing mounting environmental stress due to a combination of intensive anthropogenic coastal activities and the escalating impacts of climate change. The South-Eastern Nigeria encompasses a diverse array of aquatic ecosystems, including rivers, estuaries, mangrove swamps, and freshwater wetlands. This study presents a multidisciplinary assessment of the interactions between oil exploration, deforestation, agriculture, urbanisation, and climatic variability on aquatic ecosystems in five riverine communities. This comprehensive review aims to highlight the impacts of these activities on the aquatic ecosystems of South-Eastern Nigeria, with a particular focus on the interplay with climate change. Using a mixed-method approach involving field surveys, community-based questionnaires (n=261), and statistical analysis (SPSS v22), the research evaluates demographic pressures, pollution levels, water quality deterioration, and ecological degradation. The results reveal widespread environmental disruption across the study area. Over 87% of respondents identified deteriorating water quality, primarily linked to oil spills, untreated effluents, and waste dumping. Statistical analysis confirmed significant correlations between pollution and biodiversity decline (χ² = 18.32, p < 0.01), erosion from mangrove deforestation (χ² = 15.88, p = 0.003), and rising disease prevalence such as cholera and diarrhoea (68% reported, p < 0.05). Heavy reliance on fishing (79.5%) and observed declines in fish stocks (up to 35%) highlight the socioeconomic vulnerability of coastal populations. Furthermore, climate change interactions, including sea-level rise, altered rainfall patterns, and thermal stress, exacerbate the impacts of anthropogenic pressures, leading to habitat loss, saltwater intrusion, and shifts in species composition. Mangrove deforestation, driven by land conversion and fuelwood harvesting, has resulted in shoreline erosion and ecosystem fragmentation. However, community-led mangrove restoration efforts (62% participation) have shown promising outcomes, enhancing biodiversity and providing socio-ecological co-benefits. The study underscores the urgent need for integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), policy enforcement, sustainable livelihood alternatives, and enhanced community awareness. Bridging gaps in environmental education, only 30% of respondents were aware of existing policies that can unlock high latent willingness (85%) for conservation participation. This degradation not only reduces ecosystem productivity and resilience but also threatens biodiversity, disrupts local livelihoods, and undermines ecosystem services vital for climate resilience and food security. These findings contribute essential data for climate adaptation planning and the sustainable management of Nigeria’s vulnerable coastal ecosystems.