Non-agricultural Land Use and Environmental Quality

The environmental quality in many developing countries particularly Nigeria is fast degenerating. The degeneration arises whenever there is a change in the quality or quantity of environmental factors which directly or indirectly influence the health and well-being of man in an adverse manner. Environmental degradation, including depletion of renewable and non-renewable resources and pollution of air, water and soils, can be a significant source of stress upon societies. Environmental decline may induce changes in settlement patterns and thus disrupt established social relations. It may accelerate social stratification or promote social solidarity and stimulate collective action. At the same time, the environment has been, almost everywhere, considerably changed by non agricultural practices. Therefore, environmental quality may be understood within the context of the society that the environment supports. Changing patterns of social integration affect the ways in which natural resources are utilized by society, the value ascribed to nature, and the importance attached to environmental conservation and rehabilitation.