FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Monitoring forest dynamics is essential for understanding ecosystem health and supporting sustainable conservation efforts in tropical environments. This study assessed forest cover changes in the Okomu Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria, between 2015 and 2024 using geospatial techniques, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis and supervised land-use/land-cover (LULC) classification. Landsat satellite imagery for 2015, 2020, and 2024 was processed to generate NDVI maps and classify LULC patterns using a maximum likelihood algorithm. Temporal NDVI statistics revealed a moderate increase in vegetation greenness from 0.346 in 2015 to 0.360 in 2020, followed by a slight decline to 0.359 in 2024, indicating fluctuating vegetation health over the study period. Anomaly results further highlighted localized decline in vegetation vigour, suggesting increasing disturbance pressure. LULC analysis showed a decline in dense vegetation from 409.28 km² (37%) in 2015 to 375.82 km² (34%) in 2024, alongside an increase in moderate vegetation from 360.36 km² (33%) to 411.04 km² (37%), reflecting secondary regrowth in disturbed areas. Settlement areas expanded from 59.34 km² to 72.02 km², underscoring growing anthropogenic influence. Bare ground and light vegetation also exhibited reductions, suggesting conversion to built-up areas or natural regeneration. Overall, findings indicate progressive forest degradation coupled with evidence of vegetation recovery in specific zones. The observed changes are primarily attributed to human activities such as agricultural expansion, settlement growth, and logging. The study emphasizes the need for strengthened protection measures, community-based conservation strategies, and continuous remote
sensing monitoring to safeguard the ecological integrity of the Okomu Forest Reserve.

The quality of building maintenance in on-campus student hostels plays a critical role in shaping students’ academic experiences and overall well-being. This study examines the impact of hostel maintenance practices on the academic performance of students at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nigeria. A combination questionnaires and interviews were administered; data were collected from hostel residents and maintenance managers to assess the effectiveness of maintenance practices and their influence on student outcomes. A total of 180 students were sampled from two hostels, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-sample t-tests, and multiple regression analysis. Findings reveal that while routine and corrective maintenance practices are in place, their effectiveness is limited by resource constraints, delayed responses, and poor implementation. Key maintenance challenges include inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, faulty plumbing, and inefficient waste disposal, all of which were perceived as negatively impacting students’ living conditions. Regression analysis shows a significant positive relationship between students’ academic performance (measured by CGPA) and their perception of hostel maintenance effectiveness, particularly in areas such as restroom condition, water supply, and overall maintenance quality. The study concludes that improving hostel maintenance through proactive strategies, increased resource allocation, and efficient management practices can enhance students’ academic success. ecommendations include the adoption of preventive maintenance measures, digital reporting systems for maintenance issues, and improved supervision of facility management personnel. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on student housing quality and its implications for academic performance in public tertiary institutions.

The rapid urbanization and expansion of cities have become a global concern, with a profound impact on the environment, infrastructure, and the quality of life for residents. This study focuses on ETI-OSA Local Government Area, an area characterized by significant population growth and urbanization which makes it important to monitor and understand the dynamics of urban sprawl so as to ensure the well-being of the study area’s residents and the responsible use of resources.
To assess urban sprawl in ETI-OSA, this study employed a multidisciplinary approach that integrates Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Landsat Satellite imageries were acquired for the periods under study, that is, Landsat 4-5 for 1994, Landsat 7 and 9 for 2004 and 2014, and Landsat 9 for 2024. The techniques employed in this research are mosaicking, image clipping and supervised classification.

The results of this study shed light on the extent and patterns of urban sprawl in ETI-OSA Local Government Area. The analysis indicates a significant increase in urbanized land areas over the study period of 30 years which quantifies the extent of urban sprawl and its spatial distribution. This trend is a clear manifestation of urban expansion and population growth in the region. The implications of these findings are profound, as they provide valuable insights for land-use planning, resource allocation, and infrastructure development.

This study explores how local motifs can be used in jewelry making to preserve cultural heritage. It focuses on the importance of traditional symbols and how they can be adapted into modern jewelry without losing their meaning. The research looks at different materials and techniques, including the filigree method, which helps create detailed designs. By studying these motifs, the project shows how they can improve the beauty and cultural value of jewelry. The study also highlights how modern jewelry makers can use these traditional elements to create unique and meaningful designs. This research aims to support the preservation of local art by applying it in today’s jewelry industry

This study examines the influence of price instability on cost estimation practices in the construction industry in Edo State, Nigeria. The study aims to identify the key drivers of price fluctuations and evaluate their impact on the accuracy and reliability of construction cost estimates. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to construction professionals, including quantity surveyors, architects, engineers, and builders. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including mean item scores and standard deviation.
The findings reveal that inflation (mean = 4.42), material price fluctuations (mean = 4.34), and high interest rates (mean = 4.17) are the most significant factors contributing to price instability in the construction industry. Other notable factors include poor weather conditions, inadequate planning, and unstable government policies. The study further shows that key building elements such as reinforced concrete works, roofing materials, electrical systems, and finishing components are the most affected by these fluctuations. The results also indicate that price instability significantly reduces the accuracy of cost estimation, leading to frequent revisions of estimates, cost overruns, unreliable budgeting, and financial strain on both contractors and clients. In response to these challenges, the study identifies several effective mitigation strategies, including the use of price adjustment clauses, contingency allowances, early procurement, local sourcing of materials, and continuous market price monitoring. The study concludes that price instability remains a major threat to effective cost planning in the construction industry in Edo State. It recommends the adoption of proactive risk management strategies and improved forecasting techniques to enhance the reliability of cost estimation. This research contributes to existing knowledge by providing localized empirical evidence and practical solutions for managing cost uncertainty in a volatile economic environment.

This study was carried out to examine the assessment and impact of outdoor seating area in campus environment using the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin as case study. To guide the study, three questions were raised and descriptive research design was used for the research work. The population of the study was students from the Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Benin from which a sample size of 50 random respondents was taken. The reliability of the research instrument was determined using the test retest reliability measure and simple percentage technique was used for data analysis. Findings from the survey conducted reveals that larger percentage of respondents strongly agreed that outdoor seating area has impact on students academics, physical and mental health, and social interactions. Most of the respondents agreed that infrastructures such as outdoor seats, lightings, green areas etc. are inadequate and also agreed with the need to construct new outdoor seating areas and renovate existing ones in the campus.

The research is an assessment of the delivery of low income housing in Nigeria, it analyzes the prospect and challenges of delivery of low income housing in Nigeria and intends to proffer recommendations toward an efficient delivery of low income housing in Nigeria

The research is an assessment of the delivery of low income housing in Nigeria, it analyzes the prospect and challenges of delivery of low income housing in Nigeria and intends to proffer recommendations toward an efficient delivery of low income housing in Nigeria

The circular economy has come forth as a dire approach for addressing challenges in the environment that is associated with the consumption of resources and generation of waste especially in the built environment. Given the importance of professionals of the built environment in achieving sustainability, it can be deemed as important to check and assess the level of awareness of circular economy strategies amongst students in the tertiary stage. This study evaluated the level of awareness of circular economy strategies amongst built environment students in the University of Benin, Nigeria. Adescriptive survey research design was used for this study. The collation and collection of data was done using structured questionnaires which were then distributed to students from these built environment disciplines; Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Estate Management, Geoinformatics, and Structural Engineering. The obtained data were analysed using descriptive tools such as
percentages and the results were then presented in tables and charts. Findings from the study showed that while a reasonable number of students possess a basic knowledge of circular economy concepts, their awareness was very limited to regular
sustainability practices like reduce, reuse and recycle. There was little to no knowledge on circular economy strategies and other advanced circular economy concepts particularly those related to DfD and material passport. The study also identified variations in awareness by department with design based disciplines having more sustainability knowledge than non design
based disciplines. The study concludes that circular economy strategies are not adequately taught or present in the
current curriculum of built environment students in the University of Benin. It therefore recommends the integration of circular economy in relevant courses and an increase in practical application of these strategies as these measure will help equip the students with the skills and knowledge to promote sustainable practices in the built environment through circular economy strategie

This study examines the impact of material wastage on construction project cost and delivery in Benin City, Edo State, with a view to identifying its causes and evaluating strategies for mitigating wastage during construction. The research was driven by the increasing cost overruns, reduced profit margins, and inefficiencies associated with waste generation on construction sites in Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to construction professionals including quantity surveyors, architects, builders, site supervisors, and engineers operating within Benin City. A total of 200 valid responses were analyzed using Mean Item Score (MIS) for ranking the causes, cost implications, and mitigation strategies .Findings revealed that the major causes of material wastage include delay in the use of materials, ineffective communication, use of substandard materials, human negligence, improper mixing, and inadequate supervision. The results further indicate that material wastage significantly contributes to increased overhead costs, extended project duration, poor resource utilization, escalation of material prices, loss of productivity, and budget overruns. The study also identified Just-In-Time (JIT) delivery, improved material handling, proper material storage, reuse and recycling, and the adoption of digital planning tools as the most effective strategies for minimizing waste. The study concludes that material wastage poses a substantial challenge to cost efficiency and project performance in the construction industry and recommends enhanced supervision, accurate material estimation, improved site management practices, and policy enforcement to reduce wastage and improve overall project delivery. Suggestions for further research include comparative studies across cities, financial quantification of waste-related losses, and evaluation of prefabrication technologies in waste
reduction.