Livelihood Activities and Biodiversity Loss in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to investigate livelihood activities and biodiversity loss in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. To achieve this purpose, three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Literature was reviewed in line with the variables of this study. Survey research design was utilized for the study. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to select the five communities while systematic random sampling technique was adopted to select the two hundred and eight respondents used for the study. A twenty-five item four point modified Likert scale was the instrument used for data collection. The instrument was validated appropriately. To test the hypotheses that were formulated for the study, Pearson product moment correlation statistical tool was utilized for data analysis. the result obtained from analysis of data and testing of hypotheses in the study revealed that there was a significant relationship between farming activities, hunting activities, timber/logging activities and biodiversity loss in the study area. in conclusion, livelihood activities contribute significantly to biodiversity loss in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State. Based on this finding it was recommended among other things that residents of the study area should be encouraged and empowered to have alternative sources of animal protein through domestication of certain animal species in order to reduce biodiversity loss.