Hydroenvironmental impacts of Pliocene climate variability in parts of Niger Delta basin, Nigeria

The impact of climate variability in Niger Delta Basin is enormous and poses unimaginable negative effects on the land and water environment of the area. The significant increase in temperature of 0.19⁰C, high degree of variation in the on-set and cessation of rainfall resulting in substantial variation in annual rainfall amount of 2000mm has left negative imprint in the environment of the area. The increase in temperature and rainfall amount occasioned by variation in climatic condition of the Pliocene to recent results in hydroenvironmental extreme events of flooding, gully erosion and landslide with deterioration of water quality/quantity and degradation of the land. Over 580 active gully erosion sites have been identified in different parts of the basin with depth of about 75m and width of more than 20m in some places. The dimensions of the gullies increase with each rainy season silting surface water bodies and exposing shallow aquifers. The impacts of climate variability exacerbate water scarcity and development of bad land with implications on food security and public health in the area.  These are common triggers of communal conflict resulting in loss of live, properties and means of livelihood. The influence of variability in climate system is gender sensitive with significant effect on women and children in the rural area. The impact of the uncertainty of the climate system from Pliocene is aggravated by geogenic as well as anthropogenic activities in the basin to affect sustainable development. Varieties of plant and animal species and wildlife have been terminally-lost; by which all losses affecting parts of the Tropics of African countries are trending fast to an emerging regional biotic extinction within the Pliocene age. Integrated approach in Pliocene related research is recommended for better understanding of the climate system for the actualization of global sustainable development.