Ecologically Based Rodent Management (EBRM): A Promising Approach to Resolving Conflict between Man and Rodent Pest Species in Nigerian Agro-ecosystem

Abstract

The rising population of human being and advancement in technology mark the advent of conflict between man and the lower vertebrate species counterpart notably rodent species. Meanwhile, these rodent species cannot be denied the right to live. With introduction of settled Agriculture, natural flora are removed and crops are introduced to create agro-ecosystem within which the biotic components continue to interact, but as pests because of their infringement on what human is producing for the sustenance of his population. This prompted man to wage war against the rodent pest species by using conventional rodent control via the use of synthetic pesticides which poses health and environmental risks. Though accorded the pest status, these lower vertebrate species serve tremendous ecological roles in the ecosystem. In the light of this, EBRM has been considered as the way forward in the effective management of rodent pest population and is viewed as a strategy that is sustainable, economical, and minimally damaging to the environment. Therefore, this paper was aimed at reviewing ecologically based rodent management (EBRM) as a promising approach to resolving conflict between man and rodent pest species in Nigerian agro-ecosystem.