LIVELIHOODS IMPLICATIONS OF DEFORESTATION IN FOREST FRINGE COMMUNITIES: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS FROM OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the impact of deforestation on the livelihoods of residents in forest fringe communities in Ogun State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive research design was adopted, and data were collected from residents of selected communities and officials from relevant government ministries. A total population of about 897,000 was considered, from which a sample size of 384 respondents was determined using Cochran’s formula. Data were gathered using structured questionnaires and secondary sources, and analysed using SPSS (Version 27) through descriptive statistics and K-means cluster analysis, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. A total of 304 valid responses were obtained, representing a 79% response rate. Ethical standards were strictly observed throughout the study. The findings revealed that deforestation has significant livelihood implications in the study area. Respondents generally agreed that deforestation has reduced income sources, increased the cost of living, decreased forest-related employment, and made it difficult to sustain traditional livelihoods. However, perceptions were mixed regarding access to non-timber forest products, tourism potential, water resources, and long-term livelihood security, indicating varied experiences among communities. Mean scores ranged around the cut-off point of 3.35, with standard deviations showing moderate variability in responses, suggesting that the impacts of deforestation are not uniform across all households. Further analysis using K-means cluster analysis identified two distinct groups of respondents: “High Impact Perceivers,” who strongly experienced and acknowledged the negative effects of deforestation, and “Low Impact Perceivers,” who showed weak or minimal perception of such impacts. The differences between the clusters were statistically significant, highlighting heterogeneous livelihood experiences across the communities. The study concludes that deforestation affects livelihoods in complex and uneven ways, depending on dependency on forest resources and adaptive capacity. It recommends targeted livelihood support, sustainable forest management, and policies that address both vulnerable and more resilient groups in forest fringe communities.