Ecological Threats of an Ecotourism Destination: The Case of Owu Waterfall, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Every Ecotourism destination consists of its own physical and climatic condition with its potentials of natural resources like wildlife, hills, mountains and vegetation to be nurtured and preserved for tourism, educational and research purposes amongst other uses. Maintenance of the physical environment of tourism activity is crucial for site sustainability. To examine the real state of affairs at one of Nigeria’s ecotourism destinations, field surveys were implemented within an area approximately 2160 hectares of land which forms the main-bow of Owu Waterfall. Woody plant composition, faunal species and anthropogenic threats were assessed. A total of 34 woody plant species in 20 families were encountered. There were differences in the woody species composition of the Waterfall site. Six species of wild animals: Cercopithecus mona, C. tantalus, Papio anubis, Galagoides Spp Xerus Sp and Epixerus Sp were directly sighted. Four major threat activities were reported as logging, farming, annual burning and grazing. This study made recommendations that all sustainable measures be explored to maintain the site. More so, development of the site should be a multidisciplinary approach given that it has the capacity to be developed as a world-class tourism destination.