THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE NIGERIAN COASTLINE A CASE STUDY OF THE NIGER DELTA

The Niger Delta is characterized by semi-diurnal tidal regimes. The intertidal zone serves as a breeding ground for the rich assemblage of flora and fauna and the nutrient processing zone of the brackish water ecosystem. As oil spills, it is carried by incoming tidal water into the intertidal zone. On its path it coats the pneumatophores of the mangrove plants, starving the plants of the much needed oxygen, scorching the roots and other sedentary fauna. The extent of deforestation and fauna loss due to oil spill is directly proportional to the spread of the incoming tide and the width of the intertidal zone. Rising sea levels due to global warming, initiate storm surge and the expansion of the intertidal zone. Flooding from runoff also increases upstream; this complicates life in the coastal communities. As the intertidal zone extends landwards, aquatic species move landwards and terrestrial forms in newly flooded areas are wiped out. Consequently, there is loss of biodiversity and resources of the Niger Delta people. Deforestation, Excavation, dredging and slot cutting for pipeline routes deprives the Niger Delta environment of its carbon storage capacity, fauna habitat and breeding grounds. It inhibits forest regeneration and prevent run-off from getting to the open waters. Re-vegetation should be supervised to ensure higher survival rate of transplanted mangrove seedlings. To minimize pipe damage, pipe of higher tensile strength and hardness that cannot be cut with conventional cutting equipment is suggested for replacement of old pipes and for the construction of new lines. Also Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation should reactivate and coordinate oil spill response outfit, CLEAN NIGERIA. Finally, NNPC should coordinate the joint ownership of pipeline routes between oil companies and redefine the concept of Right Of Way ( ROW) in order to reduce the area deforested for pipe line by individual oil companies.