Man Invades Nature: Tracing the Dynamics and Trends of Anthropogenic Stressors Within a Coastal Wetland Environment

Abstract

Coastal areas contain some of the most valuable resources on earth that are constantly under threat due to human development. Notable among these resources are wetlands, a delicate but beneficial asset to coastal dwellers. This study studied the growth of Winneba City into the Muni Lagoon catchment as well as its associated effects on the Ramsar Site. The study used satellites images for the years 1990, 2000, and 2019 to model encroachment within the catchment over the 30-year period. Stakeholders were purposively selected and interviewed to gain insight into the subject under discussion. The study revealed that there is a high rate of encroachment occurring within the lagoon catchment, evidenced in the form of residential structures and agricultural practices. The rate of encroachment has almost tripled within the period under study. These activities are likely to affect flora and fauna within the catchment. The encroachment has been successful as a result of a lack of clearly defined boundaries showing the extent of the wetland. The study recommends all the stakeholders come together and work with the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission to establish the boundaries of the wetland beyond which anthropogenic activities should not be allowed.