DOCSLIB.ORG

Livelihood, Traditional Land Use and Environmental Interaction in Nigeria

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Livelihood, Traditional Land Use and Environmental Interaction in Nigeria Scan to know paper details and author's profile Livelihood, Traditional Land use and Environmental Interaction in Nigeria Pius Akindele Adeniyi ABSTRACT Traditional Land Use systems play a key role in environmental degradation. Cultural practices involving agriculture, fuel wood supply and health care delivery thrive under the law of capture. They lack sustainable production and exploitation process due to constraints posed by land and tree tenure, population increase and the importance of living biotic resources in the market economy. The solution for a stable environment under the multiple land use systems in natural ecosystems is not in sight. However, rural land use practices should emphasize among others public education and conservative principles. Keywords: traditional land use, livelihood, environmental interaction, sustainable environmental solution. ​ ​ Classification: FOR code: 050299 ​ ​ ​ Language: English ​ LJP Copyright ID: 925663 Print ISSN: 2631-8490 Online ISSN: 2631-8504 London Journal of Research in Science: Natural and Formal 465U Volume 19 | Issue 1 | Compilation 1.0 © 2019. Pius Akindele Adeniyi. This is a research/review paper, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), permitting all noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Livelihood, Traditional Land use and Environmental Interaction in Nigeria Pius Akindele Adeniyi ____________________________________________ ABSTRACT Traditional land use system is influenced by life styles: the culture of a people in relation to the Traditional Land Use systems play a key role in ​ ​ environment. Because traditional land use environmental degradation. Cultural practices systems are shapened by the diversity of natural involving agriculture, fuel wood supply and resources, increasing human population and loss health care delivery thrive under the law of of natural' forests have substantive impact on capture. They lack sustainable production and ecosystem stability. (2,10,15,17,21,27) Lack of exploitation process due to constraints posed by information for long term planning has made land and tree tenure, population increase and the national policies to ignore resource utilization at importance of living biotic resources in the the local level. It is argued that for effective market economy. The solution for a stable ​ ​ management of natural resources, adequate data environment under the multiple land use systems are required on: (a) level of resource exploitation in natural ecosystems is not in sight. However, (flora, fauna and minerals); (b) response of rural rural land use practices should emphasize among communities to changes in life styles; and (c) others public education and conservative specialization in use of resources. The study on principles. which this paper is based examines the Impact of Keywords: traditional land use, livelihood, rural land use on the natural ecosystems. ​ environmental interaction, sustainable Specifically, it addresses the following questions: environmental solution. at what level do traditional land use systems degrade the environment? What are the causes of Author: Federal Ministry of Environment Department negative approach to environmental degradation of Forestry, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. in relation to agriculture, healthcare delivery and e-mail: [email protected] ​ ​ fuelwood exploitation? (3,6,11,30) phone number +2348168046355 London Journal of Research in Science: Natural and Formal I. INTRODUCTION II. TRADITIONAL LAND USE SYSTEMS The current global trend in tropical forest In every sphere of life, there are rules and conservation is to bridge gaps in information flow regulations which keep people together to between rural resource users and decision maintain order and security to lives and makers. Because natural (biotic) resources are property. The complexities of rules and often utilized by governments to address issues regulations determine the level of cultural arising from food security and foreign exchange advancement and hence the life style patterns. earnings. Macro-economic policies have imposed The traditional land use system therefore, is a negative impact on environmental conservation reflection of the lifestyles which are nevertheless yet the rural communities who live by, own and influenced by changes in the social and economic utilize natural resources are also driven by well being of the people. The Cultural forms of poverty, thus, both the government and rural agricultural production perpetrate subsistence communities depend on the natural ecosystems needs of the people. The major practices are in for survival.(1,4,7,13,18,24,32) vogue: food and livestock production. Food crops © 2019 London Journals Press Volume 19 | Issue 1 | Compilation 1.0 17 involve shifting cultivation and intensive conservation practices and (d) rearing of animals semi-permanent cultivation in fadamas. The beyond traditional land rights of herdsmen. livestock production is nomadic. The two major Because of these problems, the sub-sector had practices apply fire to clear the natural experienced mounting deficits which ranged from vegetation particularly in the savanna areas in 122,810 tonnes in beef supply in 1982. to 183,230 the production process. (5,9,19,31) tonnes in 1985 (1,3,5,28,29,). Over 75% of the Nigerian population depends on traditional health Fadama cultivation is a dry season farming care delivery. system that thrives in wetlands both in the savanna and rainforest ecosystems. The products The traditional health care relies heavily on wild are mainly vegetables, early grain crop or in a biotic resources. Virtually all plant parts from leaf stabilized stage, the fadamas are used to cultivate buds to mature leaves, exudates, barks, roots, crops like sugarcane and other perennial food flowers, nuts, fruits, wood through plant materials crops. Shifting cultivation is a system in which in the litter form are used for health care relatively short periods of continuous cultivation (3,7,15,20,26). However, the traditional health are followed by relatively long periods of fallow” care is administered in three formal levels. These (8,12,20,22) The system employs simple are: (a) preventive; this involves epidemic, technology and operates under uncontiguous rainfall, flood and others; (b) curatives: cure of farm units and inadequate farm labour. land ailments, diseases of infertility, body pains, allocation for farming is dictated by the warding off bad spirits, snake bites, (c) despoil; to indigenous tenure system and clear felling instill sanity into the society such as system of natural vegetation. unfaithfulness in married people (magun), oppression of the poor and deprivation of social Shifting cultivation thrives best under low rights. (Traditional titles etc). Fuelwood is the population density that guarantees sufficient main source of domestic energy supply accounting fallow periods; and undeveloped agricultural for 90% of total requirements in rural areas. based industries (Ruthenberg, 1974). Fuelwood had in the past been gathered by Unfortunately, these conditions are absent in the women. Because of the scarcity of fuelwood country at moment due to factors of high particularly in the savanna zones of Sokoto, population density, presence of agro-based Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Adamawa and others, the industries, high rate of deforestation tor tree supply of the commodity has been crop production (cocoa, rubber, oil palm and commercialized. At present, fuelwood production London Journal of Research in Science: Natural and Formal forestry plantations) and unequal land tenure is not limited to dead wood: Living trees are cut systems (23,25,26,28). Under the present down and stacked for commercial purposes. This conditions, shifting cultivation is still the main occupation has endangered the diversity of source of food supply in Nigeria accounting for indigenous tree species beyond regeneration about 95% of total food production and levels. employing about 80% of the rural labour. Many wooded savanna ecosystems have Livestock production is a major land use practice degenerated into grass land areas because of in the savanna ecosystems. The practice is by excessive felling of trees for fuelwood. (2,8,18,23, small holder and is free-ranged. Rearing of 29) livestock is by nomadic herdsmen and it involves a southwards and a northwards movement of cattle in the dry and raining seasons respectively. The herdsmen face some problems: (a) extensive grazing routes, (b) uncontrolled number of cattle per unit area of land; (c) lack of range Livelihood, Traditional Land use and Environmental Interaction in Nigeria 18 Volume 19 | Issue 1 | Compilation 1.0 © 2019 London Journals Press III. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF matter and hereby marginalize the soil for TRADITIONAL LAND USE SYSTEMS vegetative regeneration. 3.1 Fire on the Environment 3.3 Food Crop Production The application of fire on the natural ecosystem Traditional food crops production degrades the serves several purposes. It is used to clear the environment through devegetation of actual vegetation for farming, hunting and to stimulate environment. Over 75% of the total natural the growth of swards of grass for grazing. The vegetation in the country was lost before 1985 due cultural use of fire is indiscriminate, regular and largely to agricultural production (9,11,18,24,28). Intensive. The Impact
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Comments on the Ornithology of Nigeria, Including Amendments to the National List
    Robert J. Dowsett 154 Bull. B.O.C. 2015 135(2) Comments on the ornithology of Nigeria, including amendments to the national list by Robert J. Dowsett Received 16 December 2014 Summary.—This paper reviews the distribution of birds in Nigeria that were not treated in detail in the most recent national avifauna (Elgood et al. 1994). It clarifies certain range limits, and recommends the addition to the Nigerian list of four species (African Piculet Verreauxia africana, White-tailed Lark Mirafra albicauda, Western Black-headed Batis Batis erlangeri and Velvet-mantled Drongo Dicrurus modestus) and the deletion (in the absence of satisfactory documentation) of six others (Olive Ibis Bostrychia olivacea, Lesser Short-toed Lark Calandrella rufescens, Richard’s Pipit Anthus richardi, Little Grey Flycatcher Muscicapa epulata, Ussher’s Flycatcher M. ussheri and Rufous-winged Illadopsis Illadopsis rufescens). Recent research in West Africa has demonstrated the need to clarify the distributions of several bird species in Nigeria. I have re-examined much of the literature relating to the country, analysed the (largely unpublished) collection made by Boyd Alexander there in 1904–05 (in the Natural History Museum, Tring; NHMUK), and have reviewed the data available in the light of our own field work in Ghana (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2014), Togo (Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2011a) and neighbouring Benin (Dowsett & Dowsett- Lemaire 2011, Dowsett-Lemaire & Dowsett 2009, 2010, 2011b). The northern or southern localities of species with limited ranges in Nigeria were not always detailed by Elgood et al. (1994), although such information is essential for understanding distribution patterns and future changes. For many Guineo-Congolian forest species their northern limit in West Africa lies on the escarpment of the Jos Plateau, especially Nindam Forest Reserve, Kagoro.
    [Show full text]
  • Tree Species Diversity and Density Pattern in Afi River Forest Reserve, Nigeria
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH VOLUME 3, ISSUE 10, OCTOBER 2014 ISSN 2277-8616 Tree Species Diversity And Density Pattern In Afi River Forest Reserve, Nigeria Aigbe H.I , Akindele S.O, Onyekwelu J, C Abstract: Afi River Forest Reserves in Cross River State, Nigeria, was assessed for tree species diversity and density pattern. Multistage (3 stage) sampling technique was adopted for data collection. 10 tertiary plots were randomly established within the secondary plots and trees randomly selected for measurement within the tertiary plots (0.20 ha). Growth data including: diameter at breast height (dbh, at 1.3m); diameters over bark at the base, middle and top; merchantable height and total height were collected on trees with dbh ≥ 10 cm in all the 10 tertiary sample plots. The results indicate that an average number of trees per hectare of 323 (68 species) were encountered in the study area. Population densities of the tree species ranged from 1 to 29 ha-1. This means, some tree species encountered translates to one stand per hectare. Pycnanthus angolensis was the most abundant with a total of 29 tree/ha. The basal area/ha in the study area was 102.77m2 and the species richness index obtained was 10.444, which indicate high species richness. The value of Shannon-Wiener Index (HI) is 3.827 which is quite high. The results show that the forest reserve is a well-stocked tropical rainforest in Nigeria. The high species diversity and the relative richness in timber species of the forest reserve does not correlate well with the abundance because the abundance of each of the species was quite low and density poor.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria Biodiversity and Tropical Forestry Assessment
    NIGERIA BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTRY ASSESSMENT MAXIMIZING AGRICULTURAL REVENUE IN KEY ENTERPRISES FOR TARGETED SITES (MARKETS) June 2008 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Chemonics International Inc. Cover photo: Harvested hardwood logs near Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Cross River State (Photo by Pat Foster-Turley) NIGERIA BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTRY ASSESSMENT MAXIMIZING AGRICULTURAL REVENUE IN KEY ENTERPRISES FOR TARGETED SITES (MARKETS) Contract No. 620-C-00-05-00077-00 The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. CONTENTS Preface ................................................................................................................................ vi Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................... vii Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 1 Section I: Introduction ........................................................................................................ 3 Section II: Major Ecosystems ............................................................................................. 5 Savanna, Grassland and the Arid North .................................................................. 5 Forests ....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Cross River Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla Diehli
    Cross River Gorilla Gorilla gorilla diehli Gorilla Agreement Action Plan This Action Plan is based on the following document: Regional Action Plan for the Conservation of the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli). Oates et. al. 2007. IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and Conservation International, Arlington, VA, USA. Revised version of UNEP/CMS/GOR-MOP1/Doc.7b, November 2009 Incorporating changes agreed at the First Meting of the Parties to the Agreement on the Conservation of Gorilla and their Habitats (Rome, Italy, 29 November 2008) English Action Plans include additional editing not included in French versions. Action Plan Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) Species Range Nigeria, Cameroon Summary This plan outlines a programme of action that, if put into effect, could ensure the Cross River Gorilla‟s survival. The actions recommended are estimated to cost $4.6 million over a five-year period; around one-third of these funds have already been committed through government and donor support for general conservation efforts in the region. About $3 million therefore remains to be raised. The recommendations in this plan fall into two categories: recommendations for actions that need to be taken throughout the Cross River Gorilla‟s range, and site-specific recommendations. Among those that apply across the range of G. g. diehli are the following: • Given the nature of their distribution, a landscape-based approach should be taken for the conservation of Cross River Gorillas that must include effective cooperation by conservation managers across the Cameroon-Nigeria border. • There is a need to expand efforts to raise awareness among all segments of human society about the value of conservation in general and about the uniqueness of the Cross River Gorilla in particular.
    [Show full text]
  • A Preliminary Assessment of the Context for REDD in Nigeria
    Federal Republic of Nigeria and Cross River State A Preliminary Assessment of the Context for REDD in Nigeria comissioned by the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Cross River State's Forestry Comission and UNDP researched & drafted by Macarthy Oyebo, Francis Bisong and Tunde Morakinyo with support from Environmental Resources Management (ERM) This report aims at providing basic information and a comprehensive assessment to ground a REDD+ readiness process in Nigeria, which is meant to advance with the support of the UN‐REDD Programme. The report is not a policy document, but rather an informative and analytical tool for all stakeholders willing to sustain REDD+ readiness in the country. The assessment places a special focus on Cross River State since this state is ready and willing to explore REDD+ readiness in a more intense fashion, in order to both inform the national REDD+ readiness with field‐level actions and to provide best practice and lessons for the rest of the states in the country. In addition, Cross River State holds a unique share of the forest and biodiversity resources of Nigeria; has two decades of active community forest management and community forest conservation experience to draw upon; and seeks to secure this legacy through innovative environmental finance schemes, such as REDD+. CONTENTS GLOSSARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND 1 1.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT 2 2 INVENTORY OF FOREST RESOURCES AND STATUS 5 2.1 THE STATUS OF THE FOREST RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT IN NIGERIA 5 2.2 THE STATUS OF VARIOUS
    [Show full text]
  • 1. Introduction 86
    34 85 1. Introduction 86 69 30N 60 1.2.4 Biogeography87 88 93 65 95 98 96 92 97 94 111 99 62 61 35 100 101 115 36 25 70 2 39 83 102 37 38 59 71 1 4 3 4 6 7 5 10 40 44 116 9 103 104 31 12 11 13 16 0 73 41 8 18 14 45 15 17 66 20 47 72 27 43 48 46 42 19 118 112 10S 81 74 50 21 52 82 49 32 26 56 Figure S1.1 Terrestrial ecoregions in West and Central Africa (source: reproduced from Burgess et al. 75 2004). See Table S1.1 for legend. 106 51 119 33 55 64 53 67 63 84 A2 0detailedS description of the eight major biomes in the region with additional subdivisions based on76 29 the ecoregions follows. This description is based on information contained 5in8 WWF6 8& IUCN (1994), 30 Fishpool & Evans (2001), Burgess et al. (2004), and Happold & Lock (2013) and is supplemented57 by 114 other sources where appropriate. 107 54 Terrestrial ecoregions 105 109 113 Sahara Country boundary 22 77 78 The Sahara Desert extends across northern Mauritania, Mali, Niger and Chad. The topography11 7is 28 30S 79 varied and composed of gravel plains, sand dunes, rocky flats, wadis110 (dry watercourses), salt pans 108 23 and rare oases. Annual rainfall is 0–25 mm but very unpredictable and no rain at all may fall for many 0 250 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 80 years in any one locality.
    [Show full text]
  • S INDEX to SITES
    Important Bird Areas in Africa and associated islands – Index to sites ■ INDEX TO SITES A Anjozorobe Forest 523 Banc d’Arguin National Park 573 Blyde river canyon 811 Ankaizina wetlands 509 Bandingilo 888 Boa Entrada, Kapok tree 165 Aangole–Farbiito 791 Ankarafantsika Strict Nature Bangui 174 Boatswainbird Island 719 Aba-Samuel 313 Reserve 512 Bangweulu swamps 1022 Bogol Manyo 333 Aberdare mountains 422 Ankarana Special Reserve 504 Banti Forest Reserve 1032 Bogol Manyo–Dolo 333 Abijatta–Shalla Lakes National Ankasa Resource Reserve 375 Banyang Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary Boin River Forest Reserve 377 Park 321 Ankeniheny Classified Forest 522 150 Boin Tano Forest Reserve 376 Abraq area, The 258 Ankober–Debre Sina escarpment Bao Bolon Wetland Reserve 363 Boja swamps 790 Abuko Nature Reserve 360 307 Barberspan 818 Bokaa Dam 108 Afi River Forest Reserve 682 Ankobohobo wetlands 510 Barka river, Western Plain 282 Boma 887 African Banks 763 Annobón 269 Baro river 318 Bombetoka Bay 511 Aftout es Sâheli 574 Antsiranana, East coast of 503 Barotse flood-plain 1014 Bombo–Lumene Game Reserve Ag Arbech 562 Anysberg Nature Reserve 859 Barrage al Mansour Ad-Dhabi 620 209 Ag Oua–Ag Arbech 562 Arabuko-Sokoke forest 426 Barrage al Massira 617 Bonga forest 323 Aglou 622 Arâguîb el Jahfa 574 Barrage de Boughzoul 63 Boorama plains 787 Aguelhok 561 Arboroba escarpment 287 Barrage de la Cheffia 60 Bordj Kastil 969 Aguelmane de Sidi Ali Ta’nzoult Arbowerow 790 Barrage Idriss Premier 612 Bosomtwe Range Forest Reserve 616 Archipel d’Essaouira 618 Barrage Mohamed V 612
    [Show full text]
  • Cross River Gorillas Tami Santelli, IELP Law Clerk (July 20, 2005)
    A World Heritage Species Case Study: Cross River Gorillas Tami Santelli, IELP Law Clerk (July 20, 2005) I. Introduction II. Taxonomy III. Status of Cross River Gorillas A. Nigeria B. Cameroon IV. Threats to Cross River Gorillas V. Proposals for Implementing the World Heritage Species Concept for Cross River Gorillas A. Protecting Habitat of the Cross River Gorilla B. Hunting and other Threats: Facilitating Cooperation Between Nigeria and Cameroon VI. Conclusions I. Introduction The Cross River gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli) is the most endangered subspecies of gorilla, with a total population of 250-300 individuals living near the Nigeria-Cameroon border. These gorillas live in isolated subpopulations, generally in forested mountain areas. Although some subpopulations of Cross River gorillas live within protected areas, the immediate vicinity supports villages of people who use the forests for their everyday needs. This human use of the forest has fragmented gorilla habitat as the expansion of roads and agriculture isolate subpopulations. It has also led to opportunistic hunting of Cross River gorillas. Researchers are already involved in many efforts in Nigeria and Cameroon, and the governments of these two range states have made initial steps towards collaborating on conservation goals. However, enforcement of existing national laws is weak, and the countries lack the funds necessary to fully implement recommendations that arose out of bilateral meetings. To increase conservation efforts for the Cross River gorillas, these governments need the political will and in some cases additional funding for enforcement and continued collaboration, and the local people need incentives to stop exploiting the resources in gorilla habitat.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigeria Biodiversity and Tropical Forests 118/119 Assessment
    NIGERIA BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS 118/119 ASSESSMENT January 2013 This report was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). It was prepared by USDA Forest Service Office of International Programs. Cover Graphic: Lowland rainforest in Cross River National Park. Photo courtesy of Beth Hahn. NIGERIA BIODIVERSITY AND TROPICAL FORESTS 118/119 ASSESSMENT January 2013 Prepared by Beth Hahn USDA Forest Service This project was made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the terms of a Participating Agency Partnership Agreement (PAPA) No. AEG-T-00-07-00003-00 between USAID and the USDA Forest Service International Programs. Funds were provided by the USAID Bureau for Africa, Office of Sustainable Development, Economic Growth, Environment and Agriculture Division (AFR/SD/EGEA) under the Biodiversity Analysis and Technical Support (BATS) program. The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms ...................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................... iii Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation
    lioneple3ueilnr zini ISUJ3 Aq pel!p3 Public Disclosure Authorized Public Disclosure Authorized IV.. Public Disclosure Authorized ot ~~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ tB N)OIVHONO IJlIJ Public Disclosure Authorized p AN,~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NO r-Ss~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~uJaP S ~s rcD I !s~i Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation A World Bank Symposium I Decentralization and Biodiversity Conservation Edited by Ernst Lutz Julian Caldecott The World Bank Washington, D.C. © 1996 The InternationalBank for Reconstruction and Development/THE WORLDBANK 1818 H Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. All rights reserved Manufacturedin the United States of America First printing December 1996 The findings, interpretations,and conclusionsexpressed in this study are entirely those of the authors and should not be attributed in any manner to the World Bank, to its affiliated organizations,or to membersof its Board of Executive Directors or the countries they represent. The artwork on the front cover was done by Tomoko Hirata. The material in this publication is copyrighted.Requests for permission to reproduce portions of it should be sent to the Office of the Publisher at the address shown in the copyright notice above.TheWorld Bankencourages disseminationof its work and will normally give permis- sion promptly and, when the reproductionis for noncommercialpurposes, without asking a fee. Permission to copy portions for classroom use is granted though the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., Suite 910,222 RosewoodDrive, Danvers, Massachusetts,01923 U.S.A. For a copy of Update describing new publications,contact the DistributionUnit, Office of the Publisher,The World Bank, 1818 H Street, N.W.,Washington, D.C. 20433 U.S.A., or Publications,The World Bank, 66 avenue d'Iena, 75116 Paris, France.
    [Show full text]
  • Differential Vegetation Status of Okomu National Park and Okomu Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria
    Vol. 17(4), pp. 682-689, April, 2021 DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2020.15080 Article Number: E6D6EBD66656 ISSN: 1991-637X Copyright ©2021 African Journal of Agricultural Author(s) retain the copyright of this article http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR Research Full Length Research Paper Differential vegetation status of Okomu National Park and Okomu Forest Reserve, Edo State, Nigeria Humphrey I. AIGBE1* and Ayuk A. NCHOR2 1Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 2Department of Forestry and Wildlife Resources Mangement, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria. Received 13 July, 2020; Accepted 23 September, 2020 Okomu National Park and Okomu Forest Reserve were established to protect the rich flora and fauna resources. Studies comparing the impact of these two approaches in conserving the rich flora and fauna resources have not been carried out on the study sites. This study is aimed at filling the knowledge gaps and assessed the differences in vegetation status of Okomu National Park and Okomu Forest Reserve. The purpose is to determine how these rich flora resources have been conserved and the conservation strategies that have met this goal, by assessing and comparing biodiversity status. In this study, a systematic sampling technique was used. Four transects (2 km) of 2 m width were utilised. One transect each was laid out per range (Arakhuan, Igwuowan, Babui Creek and Julius Creek range) in Okomu National Park. Four plots of 50 m × 50 m were alternately laid out along each transect. All living trees within each of the sample plots with diameter at breast height (Dbh) ≥ 10 cm were identified.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Management Strategies for Selected Forest Reserves in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
    Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol.5, No.9 Publication Date: Sep. 25, 2018 DoI:10.14738/assrj.59.5076. Agbi, T. T., Alamu, L. O., & Oladiti, A. A. (2018). Assessment of Management Strategies for Selected Forest Reserves in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(9) 114-121. Assessment of Management Strategies for Selected Forest Reserves in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Agbi T. T. Department of crop and environmental protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state. Alamu L. O. Department of crop and environmental protection, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo state. Oladiti A. A. Department of general studies, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso. ABSTRACT Forests reserve management strategies should provide comprehensive forest working plan for each Forest Reserve, consolidate the existing forest reserves, carry out periodic National Forest Resources inventory, Involve communities in the management of forest reserves with clearly defined roles and responsibilities, promote equitable benefit sharing and designate roles and responsibilities amongst stakeholders, protect the Forest Estate from fire and encroachment, encourage multiple-use concepts in the management of forest reserves. Most of these management strategies are mostly only protected on paper, as the forest continues to be subjected to official and unofficial unsustainable logging, and virtually unrestrained firewood and plant collecting. This study assessed the management strategies for selected forest reserve schemes in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. The study analyzed the respondents’ socio demographic characteristics, their level of knowledge on the forest reserve management and level of agreement on the identified Government policies for forest reserve maintenance.
    [Show full text]