Assessment of the Ecological and Socio-economic Implications of Land-use Changes in the Butuah Wetland of the Sekondi-takoradi Metropolis of Ghana

Abstract

ABSTRACT Coastal ecosystems in urban areas provide critical services that support biodiversity and improve the livelihoods of coastal communities. However, pressures of increasing urbanization and industrialization in urban areas reduce their economic value by limiting their ability to provide needed ecosystem services. The need to underscore the impacts land-use changes in urban coastal wetlands could have on societal and ecological conditions necessitated this study. The Butuah wetland in the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Area (STMA) was selected as the study site following the recent surge in urbanization and industrial activities in the region upon the discovery of oil in commercial quantities in 2007. The study involved the mapping of wetland types using high-resolution satellite images, analysis of changes in landscape pattern using the FragStats software, the estimation of Total Economic Value (TEV) of the resources, stakeholder analysis and a risk assessment of the ecosystems in the wetland using the InVEST HRA model. The study revealed that three-quarters of the Butuah lagoon has been lost over a period of 14 years i.e. between 2007 and 2021. High fragmentation in the various habitats of the wetland had led to a decrease in landscape diversity. Furthermore, the TEV of the wetland was estimated to be $974.54/individual/ha/year although anthropogenic stressors such as refuse dumping, overgrazing and deforestation continue to threaten the resources. The study calls for rapid implementation of conservation plans for the area and an inclusion of stakeholders in management plans to promote sustainable development.