The changing climate and the Niger delta
The Niger Delta, located in the Atlantic Coast of southern Nigeria, is the second largest delta in the world. The region spans over 20,000 square kilometers hosting about 25% of the Nigerian population (from 2006 census, the total population of Nigeria is about 140 million people). About 2,370 square kilometers of the Niger Delta area consist of rivers, creeks and estuaries and while stagnant swamp covers about 8600 square kilometers. The delta, with mangrove swamps spanning about 1900 square kilometers has the largest mangrove swamps in Africa. The region falls within the tropical rain forest zone. The ecosystem of the area is highly diverse and supportive of numerous species of terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna and human life. Resources (oil and gas) from the region are the main source of revenue for the Nigerian state, accounting for about 97% of the country