Gas Flaring And Biodiversity Depletion In Nigeria: A Study Of Selected Gas Flare Sites In Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study presents analysis of biodiversity depletion around some gas flare sites in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study specifically examined vegetation depletion around the gas flare sites. The study adopted field measurement for data collection. Five different sites were selected for the study including four gas flare sites and a con - trol site. In each experimental site vegetation samples were obtained along transects established from the gas flare stacks outward. The data was obtained in a 10x10m quadrate placed at regular interval of 30m along the transects. A total of 60 quadrats (two transects per site). The study showed a variation in the vegetation frequency (number of species), number of families and density between the control and the gas flare sites. The study also revealed dissimilarity between species in the gas flare site and the control. On the basis of these, the study recommended among others, to stop flaring of gas and channel it towards small scale utilization through electricity.