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Abstract
The study examined the impact of forest degradation on rural livelihoods in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria, with specific attention to the
economic implications of declining forest resources and the adaptive responses of forest- dependent households. The objectives were to; determine the average household income derived from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) between 2000 and 2025; assess trends
in forest resource supply and availability; identify major causes of forest degradation, and
evaluate its impacts on livelihood activities and coping strategies among forest-adjacent
communities. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered
to 200 respondents across ten purposively selected villages surrounding the Ehor Forest
Reserve. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) to identify patterns of change in income, resource availability, and degradation intensity over time. The findings revealed a progressive increase in household income from NTFPs between 2000 and 2025, suggesting that forest-based economic activities have remained central to rural livelihoods despite increasing environmental pressure. ANOVA results showed a statistically significant variation (F = 2118.295; p < 0.05) in mean annual income across the study years, indicating shifts in forest resource dependence and commercialization. However, evidence of declining forest resource supply was observed, with only 8.5% of respondents reporting abundant forest products after 2020 compared to over 79% in the early 2000s. The study identified illegal logging (98.5%), increased community use (87.5%), and weak enforcement of forest laws (69.5%) as primary drivers of degradation. Furthermore, the availability of trees (99%), firewood (98%), and medicinal plants (93%) showed severe depletion, reflecting a substantial loss of ecological assets. Nearly all respondents (97%) confirmed a regular increase in forest degradation, while environmental problems (65%) and health-related challenges (22.5%) were identified as major consequences
economic implications of declining forest resources and the adaptive responses of forest- dependent households. The objectives were to; determine the average household income derived from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) between 2000 and 2025; assess trends
in forest resource supply and availability; identify major causes of forest degradation, and
evaluate its impacts on livelihood activities and coping strategies among forest-adjacent
communities. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered
to 200 respondents across ten purposively selected villages surrounding the Ehor Forest
Reserve. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) to identify patterns of change in income, resource availability, and degradation intensity over time. The findings revealed a progressive increase in household income from NTFPs between 2000 and 2025, suggesting that forest-based economic activities have remained central to rural livelihoods despite increasing environmental pressure. ANOVA results showed a statistically significant variation (F = 2118.295; p < 0.05) in mean annual income across the study years, indicating shifts in forest resource dependence and commercialization. However, evidence of declining forest resource supply was observed, with only 8.5% of respondents reporting abundant forest products after 2020 compared to over 79% in the early 2000s. The study identified illegal logging (98.5%), increased community use (87.5%), and weak enforcement of forest laws (69.5%) as primary drivers of degradation. Furthermore, the availability of trees (99%), firewood (98%), and medicinal plants (93%) showed severe depletion, reflecting a substantial loss of ecological assets. Nearly all respondents (97%) confirmed a regular increase in forest degradation, while environmental problems (65%) and health-related challenges (22.5%) were identified as major consequences
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