Evaluating wetland assets in consumptive and non-consumptive dimensions and utilization potentials in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria

Wetlands possess abundant valuable environmental resources which hold possible opportunities for rapid and sustainable development of the eco-communities. This paper seeks to highlight multifunctional benefi ts derived from consumptive and non-consumptive wetland resources in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom State with a view to mitigating under-utilization and unsustainable exploitation for effective management in the area. Field reconnaissance survey identifi ed 8 sampled communities which were purposively selected in which 400 copies of structured questionnaires were distributed to generate database for the study. It was hypothesized that tapping into the multi-utilization potentials of consumptive and non-consumptive wetland resources will not contribute to local livelihood and socio-economic development of the region. The chi-square analysis at 0.05 level of signifi cance confi rmed 45.23 greater than 2.13. This affi rmed the multi-utilization potentials of consumptive and non consumptive wetland resources livelihood opportunities by way of job creation, source of food, source of protein, provision of building materials for constructions, provision of medicinal and pharmaceutical material of plant and animal origin among others. The result showed that the spheres of socio-economic development in Ibeno are not only dependent on crude-oil exploitation but also on the sustainable utilization of other wetland resources in the area. The underutilization is caused by the interplay of natural factors like the swampy nature of the environment, coastal topography lying towards the sea shore with waterlogged and wave action; and anthropogenic forces. Therefore, it was recommended that wetland resources require sustainable exploitation and management for the protection of diverse resources for continuous utilization by all. Research Article Evaluating wetland assets in consumptive and nonconsumptive dimensions and utilization potentials in Ibeno, Akwa Ibom state, Nigeria Comfort M Abraham, Mbuotidem S Ebong, Joseph C Udoh and Nyeti-Obong I William* Department of Geography and Natural Resources Management, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria Received: 05 July, 2021 Accepted: 22 July, 2021 Published: 23 July, 2021 *Corresponding author: Nyeti-Obong I William, Department of Geography and Natural Resources Management, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria, Tel: 09058884251; E-mail: ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8982-3841


Introduction
Wetland is a unique ecosystem perceived by many countries all over the world for utilization. The awareness of the utilization potentials of wetland resources draws researchers from multi-disciplines in humid and sub-humid environment.
The knowledge of utilization potentials varies among continents [1]. Diversities of ideas about wetlands infl uence the defi nition variations from place to place. According to Olalekan, Abimbola, Saheed and Damilole [2], wetlands are terrestrial or semi-territorial ecosystem, characterized with low drainage quality, slow waters or seldom standing water body fi lled with soil. They are referred to as boundary ecosystem because of their occurrence in nature at water body interface [3]. Wetlands are wet grounds rather than standing water (Ukpong, 2007).
Wetlands are life enhancing systems of the environment which consist of direct and indirect components [2]. Wetlands have diverse functions and values which signifi cantly recognizes the uniqueness of the environment [4]. Wetlands are very important and valuable components of the ecosystem and they serve as habitat for man and animal, source of food, shelter and other ecosystem services. They are known to be the world's most productive ecosystems with multifunctional benefi ts. The resources of wetlands are both consumptive and non consumptive. Some researchers classify them into direct benefi ts and indirect benefi ts. Some of the wetland functions that human benefi t from include nutrient cycling, sediment and pollution retention, fl ood mitigation and ground water recharge which are non-consumptive benefi ts. Outside these, wetlands are sources of wildlife, fi sh, wood and several non -timber products that are widely used by neigbouring populations. Most importantly, wetland soils can have great into channel even up to Kwa Iboe creek [6]. Wetlands offer both consumptive and non-consumptive utilization potentials in the region. The encompassing and the attraction possibilities to wetland resources give a lot of concern on the biodiversity of wetlands and other resources in the area. Wetland resources increase the economy of coastal communities. According to Ukpong (2007)

Literature review
Review of wetland resources multifunctional benefi ts: The study of wetland resources benefi ts has gain momentum over the years as a result of perception of unique functions across the globe. In addition, wetlands provide a range of goods and services and possess a variety of attributes of value to society [8]. Wetlands are composed of a number of physical, biological and chemical components such as soils, water, plant and animal species and nutrients. Wetlands throughout the tropics provide important goods and services to local communities. They are considered to be important ecosystems, which contribute considerably to the national economy and rural livelihoods [9].
These is increasing evidence that the economic returns from natural or sustainably used wetland habitats exceed those that are degraded or continue largely unabated [10]. In the agricultural potential when properly used (Olalekan, et al. 2004). Wetlands are unique productive environments with biological supermarkets of extensive food webs and rich biodiversity which support hydrological and chemical cycles [5]. They are also useful for farming especially for cultivation of rice and fi sh. The peat lands which are a type of wetlands are also good for production of fuels. They are also used for sports and recreational purpose, for amusements, boating festivals, fi shing and sailing events [4]. Africa is endowed with abundant wetland resources. About 169 of her coverage for wetlands is shared with estimates of about 5,600,000km 2 , which contains wetland soils namely histosols, gleysols, fl ukisols, and some of the fl ooded soils. In Nigeria, the resources attributed to the wetlands are highly valuable and they contain fi sh, reptile, species mammal species, amphibian species, bird's species and lake Victoria Basin, extensive reclamation and conversion of wetlands has occurred to permit agriculture and the remaining swamps have been degraded by overharvesting [11]. This is partly due to a lack of understanding of their ecological and socioeconomic values, which leads to distorted policy and decision making regarding their use and management [12] de Groot, et al. 2002.
Ecosystem goods, and services provided by wetland ecosystems are essential for sustaining livelihoods [13].
Wetlands offer provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting/services that generate economic value from their direct, indirect, or potential use [14]. Important decisions concerning the management and use of wetlands can best be made only if the functions wetlands perform and how these functions are linked to the provision of goods and services are considered. Unfortunately, relative to other forms of natural resources, few studies have attempted to economically value wetland ecosystem services [15]. River process regulation functions: By storing water and slowing water movement, wetlands buffer surrounding areas from the worst effects of storms and fl oods. This service is of value to the poor, who lack the fi nancial or other means to protect themselves against the impact of storms through reinforced buildings or protected food production systems, or to recover from storms quickly (FAO 2001).

Cycling and water quality improvements functions:
Sediments and nutrients are deposited in and around wetlands, preventing the siltation of downstream waterways. In addition, high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous from agricultural runoff are removed by wetlands, preventing the eutrophication of streams and rivers and the contamination of groundwater supplies. Mangroves also act as buffers and catch excess sediment that would otherwise fl ow into the ocean, thereby protecting vital coral reefs and sea grass beds from damaging siltation. Newcome, Provins, Johns, Ghazoul, Burgese and Turner 2005).
Erosion control potentials: Wetland vegetation control erosion by reducing wave and current energy and by binding and stabilizing the soil. The mangrove system in particular has important indirect use value through its environmental function of controlling erosion and sedimentation, which protects agricultural production in relevant regions. In a study of the mangrove wetlands of Bintuni Bay, Irian Jaya, Indonesia, the benefi ts of erosion control were estimated to be around U$$950 per household [17], based on the value of the local agricultural production that this function provides.

Traditional/Cultural knowledge and traditions:
Cultural heritage includes the physical structures and artefacts of the past, traditional water and land -use management practices, and the religious signifi cance of wetlands and their wildlife. While there are few studies of non-use values associated with wetlands, Barbier et al (1996) suggest that donations made through campaign by European and North American environmental grounds to raise funds to support tropical wetlands conservation hint at the magnitudes involved. For example, several years ago the UK's Royal society for the protection of Birds (RSPB) collected £500,000 from a one-off membership mailing campaign to help save the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands of Northern Nigeria in West Africa [18].

Spiritual and historic information:
These areas are used baptism either by immersion of by using water from the wetlands, appeasing evil spirits, cleaning, as shrines, and a source of historical lineage among others.
Aesthetic value of wetlands: Wetland ecosystems have an important value as a place where people come for rest, relaxation, refreshment and recreation in natural areas/ecotourism will most likely continue to increase in the future. Eco-tourism as an important niche market in tourism industry has embrace environmental conservation, maintenance of biodiversity, a satisfying experience for the visitors, nature study and sustainable community development. The wide diversity of vegetation, bird species, fi sh and other wildlife found within wetlands add to the diversity and beauty of the ecosystem [18]. , enabling successful writing and publications of environmental isues in local and international journal. Government agencies and students from different institutions of learning visit the wetland region to learn more about community based wetland conservation. The wetland zone serve as important areas for monitoring environmental changes such as fl oods, climate change and other environmental scenario [19][20][21][22].
Biodiversity and nursery habitats: Wetland acts as a source of biodiversity by hosting a high diversity of fi sh species, wildlife and plants. The wetlands play a vital role as habitats in the sustenance of wetland fi sheries as it accommodates wetland livelihood activities [19][20][21][22].

Method of study
Study area: Ibeno is located on latitude 04°32'27'' North of the equator and longitude 008°00  12  east of the Greenwich meridian. It lies within the tropics and the area is infl uenced by warm humid air mass from the Atlantic Ocean and slightly continental air mass from the Sahara desert. The two seasons in the region are: rainy and dry seasons infl uenced by these air masses. There is a longer rainy season than dry because of the coastal location. The area is a wetland region belonging to the mangrove and fresh water swamp forest of Nigeria covering a larger area in Ibeno. The coastal geomorphic zone is a strand coastal area with beach ridge complex geological property and is highly infl uenced by oceanographic parameters. Ibeno is heavily endowed with petroleum resources that made it the hotspot for oil exploration and exploitation with Exxon Mobil

Data sets and sources
The data for the research was obtained from fi eld reconnaissance survey complimented with distribution of 400 copies of structured questionnaire to 8 sampled communities in the area. Focused group discussion with stakeholders, farmers, hunters, fi shermen, sand miners generated additional data that enabled analysis to be carried out.

Consumptive wetland resources in Ibeno L.G.A Tables 4-7.
Testing the hypothesis H0: Tapping into multi-utilization potentials of consumptive and non-consumptive resources of wetlands will not contribute to livelihood and socio-economic development of Ibeno.

H1:
Tapping into multi-utilization potentials of consumptive and non-consumptive resources of wetlands will contribute to livelihood and socio-economic development of Ibeno.

Conclusion and recommendations
The multi-utilization potentials of consumptive and