Title: Modeling Cassava Tolerance to Anthropogenic Disturbances in Bayelsa, Nigeria
Authors: Gbenizibe Bonus Wombu, John M. A. Torunana
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Pages: 172-183
Publication Date: 2026/05/28
Abstract:
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a vital staple crop in Nigeria's Bayelsa State, but it's currently facing mounting pressures from human-induced environmental changes. This study takes a modeling and literature synthesis approach to assess how well cassava can withstand four major human activities: oil spills, deforestation, slash-and-burn agriculture, and urban encroachment. We look at agronomic performance indicators like yield and survival rates, as well as physiological responses such as biochemical and heavy-metal uptake, under each of these stressors. The results reveal that oil pollution in the soil can cut cassava yields in half and contaminate the tubers with harmful hydrocarbons and heavy metals, posing serious food safety risks. Deforestation and shorter fallow periods lead to nutrient depletion and soil erosion, and cassava only shows limited resilience-yields drop significantly without proper soil restoration. Traditional slash-and-burn methods can temporarily boost soil fertility (thanks to the nutrients in ash) and support cassava growth, but if these cycles continue without fallow periods, we see a gradual decline in yields and soil health. Urban encroachment in Bayelsa is shrinking arable land and exposing nearby cassava farms to pollution, like heavy metals, which further challenges the crop's resilience. Our model-based scenario analysis indicates that the combined impact of these human pressures could seriously affect cassava productivity and quality over time. This study highlights the urgent need for sustainable management strategies-ranging from soil remediation on oil-affected lands to better fallow practices and urban planning-to protect cassava yields and ensure food security. All findings are backed by region-specific peer-reviewed research, offering a thorough academic view on cassava's limits and adaptation strategies in response to human-driven environmental changes in the Niger Delta.