Assessment of Mangrove Ecosystem Services and Community Dependence in the Niger Delta: A Case Study of Bayelsa State

Mangrove ecosystems in the Niger Delta provide a spectrum of provisioning, regulating, and cultural services that sustain millions of coastal inhabitants, yet accelerating degradation threatens both ecological function and human wellbeing. This study assesses the ecosystem services provided by mangrove forests in selected creek communities of Bayelsa State, and quantifies local community dependence on these services using a participatory valuation approach. Household surveys were administered to 200 respondents across eight communities, capturing reliance on fisheries, fuelwood, building materials, and coastal protection. Mangrove stand condition was assessed through transect surveys measuring canopy cover, species composition, and regeneration density in three health categories: intact, degraded, and recovering. Species identified included Rhizophora racemosa, Avicennia germinans, and Laguncularia racemosa. Total economic value was estimated by combining direct use values from market prices and indirect use values from benefit transfer functions for coastal protection. Results indicate that approximately 74% of households depend on mangrove-derived income sources, with fishing constituting the dominant livelihood. Degraded stands showed significantly reduced fish catch per unit effort in adjacent waterways. Oil spill frequency was the single strongest predictor of mangrove degradation. The study recommends compulsory post-spill restoration obligations for petroleum companies under strengthened enforcement of the Oil Pipelines Act. Keywords: mangrove, ecosystem services, Niger Delta, community dependence, Bayelsa State