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Coordinated and published by The Grassroots Institute, the Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources (GJNR) is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancements in natural resources throughout the world. The goal of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists, social scientists, policy analysts, managers and practitioners (on all academic and professional levels) all over the world to promote, discuss and share various new issues and developments in different arenas of natural resources.
Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rapid Population Growth on Natural Resources in Eleme
Moses Obenade*1, Echem Ogba Samuel2, Iroegbu Ngozi Franca3, Onah Gladys Owere4,
Onyeka Stanley Chukwuedo5, Omeri Kelvin Nwachi6, Nicholas Ihentuge Achilike7,
Jacob Parkins Agwu8, Patience Afor Ibeneme9
1Department of Geography, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: moses.obenade72@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5234-7190
2Department of Fine & Applied Arts, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: samchemcolours@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9379-6420
3Department of Business Administration, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: iroegbufranca023@gmail.com | ORCID: 0009-0004-0774-4392
4Department of Business Administration, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: owere.gladys@funai.edu.ng | ORCID: 0000-0003-4878-4556
5Department of Accountancy, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: chukwuedoo@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9575-7626
6Department off Business Administration, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Email: omerikelvin@gmail.com | ORCID: 0009-0006-8354-2738
7Department of Business Administration, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: achinico@yahoo.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9837-5905
8Department of Geography, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: agwuj70@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-9075-9762
9Department of Geography, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Email: patienceibeneme@gmail.com | ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8169-5072
*Corresponding author
Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3): 394-419. Doi: https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080316
Received: 13 September 2025
Reviewed: 22 November 2025
Provisionally Accepted: 25 November 2025
Revised: 29 November 2025
Finally Accepted: 30 November 2025
Published: 31 December 2025
This study assesses the environmental and economic consequences of rapid population growth and unsustainable natural resource use in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. Using geospatial analysis of land-use/land-cover (LULC) changes from 2006 to 2024 combined with statistical correlation techniques, the research evaluates how demographic pressures have transformed the local landscape. Results show that accelerated population growth has driven extensive conversion of dense vegetation into light vegetation and agricultural land, alongside the reduction of water bodies and the expansion of built-up areas. These trends are attributed to increasing demand for housing, farmland, fuelwood, and other livelihood resources. Statistical analysis indicates strong negative correlations between population growth and the extent of water bodies, light vegetation, and dense vegetation, demonstrating the direct ecological impacts of uncontrolled demographic expansion. Economically, the degradation of natural resources has contributed to declining agricultural productivity, rising costs of resource extraction, loss of ecosystem services, and increasing pressure on public infrastructure. The study highlights the urgent need for integrated population management and sustainable resource governance. It recommends targeted interventions, including improved spatial planning, community-based resource management, reforestation and wetland restoration initiatives, and increased public investment in education, health, and job creation to promote sustainable livelihoods and long-term environmental resilience in the region.
Environment; Ecosystems; Water bodies; Vegetation; Rivers state
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Obenade, M., Samuel, E.O., Franca, I.N., Owere, O.G., Chukwuedo, O.S., Nwachi, O.K., Achilike, N.I., Agwu, J.P., & Ibeneme, P.A. (2025). Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rapid Population Growth on Natural Resources in Eleme. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8(3), 394-419. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080316
Obenade M., Samuel E.O., Franca I.N., Owere O.G., Chukwuedo O.S., Nwachi O.K., Achilike N.I., Agwu J.P., Ibeneme P.A. Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rapid Population Growth on Natural Resources in Eleme. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 2025, 8 (3), 394-419. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080316
Obenade, Moses, Samuel, Echem Ogba, Franca, Iroegbu Ngozi, Owere, Onah Gladys, Chukwuedo, Onyeka Stanley, Nwachi, Omeri Kelvin, Achilike, Nicholas Ihentuge, Agwu, Jacob Parkins, Ibeneme, Patience Afor. 2025. “Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rapid Population Growth on Natural Resources in Eleme”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 no. 3: 394-419. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080316
Obenade, Moses, Echem Ogba Samuel, Iroegbu Ngozi Franca, Onah Gladys Owere, Onyeka Stanley Chukwuedo, Omeri Kelvin Nwachi, Nicholas Ihentuge Achilike, Jacob Parkins Agwu and Patience Afor Ibeneme. 2025. “Environmental and Economic Impacts of Rapid Population Growth on Natural Resources in Eleme”. Grassroots Journal of Natural Resources, 8 (3): 394-419. https://doi.org/10.33002/nr2581.6853.080316
| Internet Archive: | https://archive.org/details/m-00616 |
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