PERCEIVED EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON WILDLIFE SPECIES: A CASE STUDY OF SOKOTO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/JISSI.v2.i1.2026.24Keywords:
Drivers of Climate Change, Sustainable Land Management, Environmental Changes, Deforestation and Climate Change, NigeriaAbstract
This study assessed the perceived effects of climate change on wildlife species in Sokoto metropolis, Northwestern Nigeria. A total of 100 respondents were surveyed using semi structured questionnaires, and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Likert scale and regression analysis. Results revealed that the respondents were predominantly male (58%), married (56%), and engaged in occupations closely tied to natural resources conservation such as farming (33%) and business (23%). Educational attainment of the study participants was relatively high, with 40% completing secondary and 30% tertiary education. The main drivers of climate change as perceived by the respondents were deforestation (71%), overgrazing (65%), and bush burning (58%), while fossil fuel use (42%) and industrial pollution (25%) were less frequently mentioned. Awareness of climate change was widespread, with 87% of respondents indicating awareness and perceiving moderate (44%) to high (41%) impacts on ecosystem services. Fish (36%) and avifauna (24%) were identified as the most vulnerable species. Majority (mean = 4.2) agreed that climate change significantly increases predation risk of wildlife species. Regression analysis showed that education (β = 0.212, p = 0.001) and occupation (β = -0.183, p = 0.013) significantly influenced the perception of the respondents on the effects of climate change on wildlife species, whereas age (β = 0.004, p = 0.505), sex (β = -0.062, p = 0.460), and years of experience (β = 0.008, p = 0.259) were not significant predictors of perception (R² = 0.27; Adjusted R² = 0.23). The study concludes that climate change is widely recognized as a pressing environmental challenge in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria, with strong acknowledgment of its impacts on wildlife species and ecosystems. We recommend strengthening environmental education, promoting sustainable land-use practices, enhancing wildlife conservation, and improving institutional support for climate governance.
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