Nigeria, Nov. 26 -- Sarah Victor, a mother of five, once depended on the rich resources of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in Akwa Ibom State for her livelihood. The forest supplied the herbs she used to treat ailments such as stroke, hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, and epilepsy, her main source of income and healing practice.

Years ago, the reserve, spanning Esit Eket, Ibeno, and Mbo Local Government Areas, was a thriving biodiversity hotspot. Covering about 310.8 square kilometres, it was one of southern Nigeria's richest ecosystems, home to valuable tree species such as African mahogany, African satinwood, Afara, and African walnut. It also provided critical habitat for endangered primates, including Sclater's guenon, Mona monkey, ...