Policy issues on biodiversity and environmental sustainability

Biodiversity depletion occasioned by anthropogenic factors is a growing issue in developing countries including
Nigeria. Environmental stressors including over exploitation, pollution, invasive species and habitat loss has
increased the rate of biodiversity depletion in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. As a result, access to ecosystem
goods and services has significantly declined particularly in local communities where artisanal oil refining and
over exploitation of mangrove resources is a norm. While changing this behavioural trend is important, the lack
of contextual policies and legislation to control and manage these stressors, is increasing the pace of biodiversity
depletion. In this review, a policy and legislative framework for managing biodiversity conservation is
developed, with emphasis on behavioural change, policy changes and creation of alternative livelihood for
coastal communities.