Participatory Mapping of Critical Wildlife Habitats in Kebbi State Floodplains

Participatory mapping engages local communities in the documentation of natural resource distribution, habitat features, and land use patterns, combining indigenous knowledge with spatial analysis tools. In the floodplain landscapes of Kebbi State, within Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone, critical wildlife habitats, including floodplain grasslands, riverine forests, and seasonal wetlands, remain unmapped in terms of their biodiversity values and community use patterns. This study employs participatory mapping approaches to document critical wildlife habitat locations, community resource use zones, and areas of conservation concern within the Kainji Reservoir floodplain margins in Kebbi State. Community representatives from eight villages participated in three-day mapping workshops, using both sketch maps and GPS-supported transect walks. Community maps were digitized and integrated with satellite imagery in a GIS platform. Participatory mapping documented 32 specific habitat features of wildlife significance, including breeding sites for the West African crocodile, hippo sandbars, and dense riparian forest corridors. Significant discrepancies were identified between community-defined critical habitats and areas currently designated for protection under state land use regulations. The study recommends the legal recognition of community-identified critical habitats within floodplain management frameworks, formalization of participatory mapping as a standard component of protected area management reviews, and training of community members in basic GPS and map use. Keywords: participatory mapping, wildlife habitats, Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, floodplain management