Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Management Effectiveness of Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria

• Author(s): Nwanja, E. F.; Nchor, A. A.; Ebu, V. T.; Anoh R. A.; Urim. B. A.
• Paper ID: 1714837
• Page: 512-523
• Published Date: 10-03-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 9 March-2026
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1714837

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic threats on the management effectiveness of Cross River National Park, a major biodiversity hotspot in Nigeria and habitat to endangered species such as the Cross River gorilla and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Using the International Union for Conservation of Nature – World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN–WCPA) framework and Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology, data were collected from 298 respondents (park staff, rangers, and support-zone communities) through structured questionnaires, alongside secondary park records (2018–2022). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multiple regressions at a 5% significance level. Findings revealed that illegal farming, hunting, and logging were the most significant threats. The statistical results indicated a strong link between the threats and the effectiveness of management (F = 229.128; p < 0.05; R² = 0.947), meaning that 94.7% of the differences in management performance were attributable to these factors. The study concludes that persistent human-induced pressures significantly undermine park management. It recommends strengthened law enforcement, improved funding and ranger capacity, enhanced community participation, and sustainable livelihood programs to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.

Keywords

Anthropogenic Threats, Management Effectiveness, Cross River National Park, Protected Area Management

Citations

IRE Journals:
Nwanja, E. F., Nchor, A. A., Ebu, V. T., Anoh R. A., Urim. B. A. "Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Management Effectiveness of Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 9 2026 Page 512-523 https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1714837

IEEE:
Nwanja, E. F., Nchor, A. A., Ebu, V. T., Anoh R. A., Urim. B. A. "Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Management Effectiveness of Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 9, Mar. 2026, doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1714837

APA:
Nwanja, E. F., Nchor, A. A., Ebu, V. T., Anoh R. A., Urim. B. A. (2026). Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Management Effectiveness of Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria. Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(9). doi: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1714837

MLA:
Nwanja, E. F., Nchor, A. A., Ebu, V. T., Anoh R. A., Urim. B. A. "Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Management Effectiveness of Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, vol. 9, no. 9, Mar. 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I9-1714837

BibTeX

@article{1714837,
author = {Nwanja, E. F., Nchor, A. A., Ebu, V. T., Anoh R. A., Urim. B. A.},
title = {Impact of Anthropogenic Threats on Management Effectiveness of Cross River National Park, Cross River State, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {9},
number = {9},
pages = {512-523},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1714837.pdf},
abstract = {This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic threats on the management effectiveness of Cross River National Park, a major biodiversity hotspot in Nigeria and habitat to endangered species such as the Cross River gorilla and the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee. Using the International Union for Conservation of Nature – World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN–WCPA) framework and Rapid Assessment and Prioritization of Protected Area Management (RAPPAM) methodology, data were collected from 298 respondents (park staff, rangers, and support-zone communities) through structured questionnaires, alongside secondary park records (2018–2022). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multiple regressions at a 5% significance level. Findings revealed that illegal farming, hunting, and logging were the most significant threats. The statistical results indicated a strong link between the threats and the effectiveness of management (F = 229.128; p < 0.05; R² = 0.947), meaning that 94.7% of the differences in management performance were attributable to these factors. The study concludes that persistent human-induced pressures significantly undermine park management. It recommends strengthened law enforcement, improved funding and ranger capacity, enhanced community participation, and sustainable livelihood programs to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation.},
keywords = {Anthropogenic Threats, Management Effectiveness, Cross River National Park, Protected Area Management},
month = {March}
}