Time Series Analysis of Climatic Factors and Forest Resources Availability In Central Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined Time series analysis of climatic factors and forest resources availability in Central Cross River State, Nigeria. The volumes of rainfall, temperature and relative humidity with other climate characteristics have posed serious threat to forest resources availability and livelihood leading to continuous loss of forest land to agriculture, livestock grazing, development of residential areas, flooding, woodland for timber logging and extractions. The attainment of this purpose led to the formulation of four research questions and one null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. There was review of literatures from relevant Scholars in accordance with the variables of the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Stratified random sampling techniques was used to select local government and communities used for the study, with the sample of three hundred and fifteen (315) respondents used for the study. A twenty item four point modified likert scale questionnaire was the instrument employed for data collection. The research instrument was properly vetted to ensure validity. Cronbach Alpha method was employed to establish reliability of the research instrument. The testing of the hypotheses was done with analysis using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Auto regressive integrated moving average (ARIMA). The result that was obtained from analysis of data and hypotheses testing revealed that there was a significant influence of three climate variables on forest resources availability in the study area. Based on these findings it was recommended among others that; Organic farming should be introduced to reduce excess pressure on forestland conversion to farmlands to other uses. The introduction of bag farming and other organic agricultural practices should be encouraged to reduce pressure on forest land. Afforestation and reafforestation should be carried out to at least replace the natural forest landscape with plantation agriculture.