Functional Benefits of Shelter Belts for a Sustainable Built Environment in Northwest Nigeria: A Structural Equation Modelling Approach
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63561/jber.v3i1.1195Keywords:
Shelter belts, Functional benefits, Water conservation, Biodiversity, Erosion control, Environmental managementAbstract
Shelter belts, as linear plantings of trees and shrubs, are widely recognized for mitigating environmental degradation and supporting sustainable agricultural landscapes. This study evaluated the functional benefits of shelter belts in north-western Nigeria and ranked them according to stakeholder perceptions. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 221 respondents across seven states, and data were screened for reliability and validity using Cronbach's alpha, Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure, and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity. Functional benefits were analyzed through standardised estimates and squared correlations (R²), highlighting water conservation (R² = 0.768), biodiversity support (R² = 0.749), and erosion control (R² = 0.683) as the most significant. Wind reduction, aesthetic and recreational utility, and microclimate regulation followed in importance. The results indicate that shelter belts provide multifaceted benefits, including soil and water conservation, ecosystem services, and community well-being. These findings have practical implications for policymakers, farmers, urban planners, and environmental organizations in prioritizing shelter-belt interventions, integrating nature-based solutions into landscape planning, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The study also identifies gaps for further research, including longitudinal monitoring of ecological impacts and economic valuation of ecosystem services.
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