Analysis of Morphometric Traits and Ecological Threats: A Study at Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the morphometric characteristics of this region using certain pertinent topography characteristics (elevation, slope, and aspect) to identify places at risk for serious ecological issues like flood, erosion, and others. This study was conducted in Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. In order to improve data integration into the GIS interfaces, a digital elevation model (DEM) was acquired as a raster with longitude and latitude; geo-referenced, but re-projected to WGS, UTM zone 32 N. The various layers representing elevation, slope, and aspect were extracted using the surface operation tool of the spatial analyst extension of ArcGIS 9.3. To unify the units of measurement for integration into the same analysis environment, these were submitted to the reclassification function in the same programme. Following categorization, the layers were used to map the environment using algebra to simulate erosion, flood dangers, and the potential for siltation of the area's streams, tributaries, and wetlands. Consequently, slope, elevation and aspect were the surface layers utilized for the single output map algebra.  The result confirmed the elevation of this area to be low-lying altitude above the mean sea level with Open Water, Sea Level Terrain, Beach Ridge Complex, Alluvial Plain with Mangroves and Gently Undulating Coastal Plain Sands as the five significant terrain classes in SCFR. The result further revealed that areas without vegetation cover recorded series of ecological hitches than areas with adequate vegetation cover. Specifically, the identified problems included water pollution, coastal erosion, land degradation, soil contamination, flood, habitat fragmentation, distortion of wetlands and siltation of streams, rills, and tributaries which restriction of anthropogenic activities and adequate restoration measures in SCFR are strongly recommended for its sustainability.