In Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

For. Stud. China, 2012,14(2): 152-159 RESEARCH ARTICLE DOl 10.1007/s11632-012-0205-3

Decline in flora diversity and poverty trap in a peri-urban settlement (Ijeun lukosi village) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

J.A.SOAGA*

Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract The study examined flora decline in a peri-urban settlement (Ijeun Lukosi village in Abeokuta, Nigeria) and the consequent poverty trap in the village. Respondents were selected by simple random sampling (SRS) with a total of 90 respondents selected, cutting across different age groups and occupations. Ijeun Lukosi village is a stone throw from a Government Secretariat with influx of government employees. The status offlora in the village revealed 34 species of trees and shrubs, 36 species of herbs and climbers and 12 species of aquatic plants. Thirty-two families of plants were identified showing the diversity of flora species in the settlement. An influx of people into the settlement changed the pattern of land tenure system from communal and family inheritance to personal ownership of land. This change in land ownership status promoted the destruction of the diversity of loacal flora under private prop erty development. This impacted negatively on the livelihood of respondents. The poverty line was determined to be NAD 2,600 ($17.33) per month, a condition categorized by the World Bank as abject poverty. Over 51 % of farming respondents were displaced, including 20% entrepreneurs (artisans) trading in trado-medical herbs derived from the diversity in the flora. The conclusion is drawn that abject poverty encouraged the destruction of flora diversity in the settlement with the poverty trap turning into a cycle and the perpetuation of poverty in the village. It is recommended that the government should put in place programs to alleviate poverty in this and similar areas to protect flora diversity and consequently protect the environment, thereby ensuring the sustenance of rural liveli hood.

Key words flora diversity, poverty trap.

1 Introduction another but all stems from human need and desire that are in turn governed by human attitudes, beliefs, cul Human beings and the environment relate to each oth ture and norms, by economic exchange mechanisms, er dialectically. As man affects the environment, man as well as by knowledge, skills and technologies and in turn is affected by the environment. The effects, policies, regulations and institutions. With improved both ways, can be positive or negative. Man affects civilization, nations have made advancements in the environment through various activities summarily biotechnology with positive utilization of biological termed development. Development, although benefi resources for development. However, our understand cial from an economic point of view, creates threats ing of the biological diversity of the earth is marred to the environment. Development may be seen as the by significant gaps. This lack of information hampers increasing capacity of human beings to obtain,the re our ability to comprehend the magnitude of the loss sources required to meet regular needs from their im of biodiversity, prevents further losses and formulates mediate environment. In fact, about 40% of the global sustainable alternatives to resource depletion (Huston, economy is based on biological products and pro 1995). cesses. However, human activities have been a major Simply put, biological diversity refers to the num problem causing environmental degradation the world ber, variation and variability among living organisms, over. The direct effects of development on the envi including ecological complexes in which they occur ronment include the conversion of forest land to agri (OTA, 1987; Brown et aI., 1993). Biodiversity oc culture or infrastructural provision. According to the curs at three levels of biological organization:-genes UNDP/GEF (2008), the relative importance of various (the sum of genetic information contained in genes types of biodiversity loss varies from one location to of individual plants, animals and micro-organisms),

·Author for correspondence. E-mail: [email protected] J. A. SOAGA: Decline in flora deversity and poverty trap in a peri-urban settlement... 153

species (populations within which gene flows occur 100-150 cm (Iloeje, 1978; Onakomaiya, 1992; Oye under natural conditions, where normal individuals siku, 1992). It is characterized by two distinct seasons. are capable of breeding with members of the opposite The longer wet season lasts for eight months (March sex) and ecosystems (habitats, biotic communities and October) and the shorter dry season for four months ecological processes in the biosphere). When there (November-February). The relative humidity is high is heterogeneity among species, ecosystem stability all the year round and generally above 80% during the and resilience are heightened, biodiversity becomes wet season and varies between 60%-80% during the value laden and is better able to perform both protec dry season. Major economic activities in Abeokuta tive functions and provision of sundry services. Ac include, trading, farming, quarrying, sawmills, block cordingly, Diversitas (2001) reported that the value making, traditional clothing and pottery. Other activi of biodiversity to humanity lies only in its capacity ties include collection and gathering of medicinal to sustain human life and the systems that support it. plants, basket weaving and civil service jobs. Therefore, the direct benefit of biological diversity to humanity cannot be over emphasized, man depends on animals, plants, fungal and microbial species for 3 Data collection food, fuel, fibers, medicines, drugs and raw material for a host of manufacturing technologies and purposes Pre-tested questionnaires were distributed to 90 re (BOSTID, 1992; Diversitas, 2001). Thus, biodiversity spondents within the settlement using simple random is of significance in diverse locations both to man and sampling. Respondents cut across the diverse econom the environment. This study therefore aims to examine ic activities in the settlement. Questionnaire informa the following objectives: a) to identify diverse plant tion includes plant species exploited and traded, parts species at Ijeun Lukosi village, b) to determine the exploited, the land tenure system, income derived socio-economic contribution of these species to rural from exploited species, income level of respondents livelihood and c) to determine the poverty line in the and conservation information on species availability. village and the consequences of species loss on in come. 4 Data analysis

2 Study area Data from the survey were analyzed using both de scriptive statistics and statistical inferential proce The study area was Ijeun Lukosi village, a peri-urban dures. The variables analyzed include age, gender, settlement in the Abeokuta metropolis, Nigeria, with marital status, income and educational background a land area of less than 500 ha. The village is envel of respondents as socio-economic characteristics of oped by development in the Abeokuta metropolis respondents. The poverty line at the village was deter with the seat of government of Ogun State located at mined using an income level approach based on the a distance of two kilometer from the village. The vil method of Deaton (1997). The income distribution of lage is separated from the Government Secretariat by respondents was sorted into levels and a mean of the a major road leading to Abeokuta from neighboring income determined. A percentage of the mean (50%) settlements of Sagamu, Mowe, ljebu-Ode and other was selected as required and the poverty line calcu villages. The village is more concisely described as lated by multiplying the selected percentage and the part of the Abeokuta environment. Abeokuta is located mean income value. between latitude 7°15' N and longitude 3°25' E. Abeo kuta was founded in 1830 by the Egba people and is located between the Ogun river and Olumo rock. The rock is a massive outcrop of granite origin of primitive 5 Results and discussion formation forming part of the plateau of Yoruba land and from which the town derived its name, Abeokuta, The socio-economic characteristics of respondents are meaning under the rock. The Abeokuta metropolis is shown in Table 1. The variable gender determines the divided into two major local governments: Abeokuta percentage of male and female respondents. North and Abeokuta South. The local governments Table 1 shows that ages 31-40 had the highest per cover a total land area of 125,593.3 ha, representing centage of respondents with over 41 %. This indicates 7.7% of total land area in Ogun State (Popoola, 1990; that the village is populated by an active working age Enilolobo, 2002). Abeokuta is situated in the rainfor group. As well, there were more married female re est belt of Nigeria but transited into derived savanna spondents (48) than males. The majority of the respon through agricultural activities with annual rainfall of dents were married, i.e., over 98%. The educational 154 Forestry Studies in China, Vo1.l4, No.2, 2012

background of the respondents indicated that the vival of the human population. May (1994) reported majority of the respondents had basic primary educa that the direct benefits of biodiversity to humanity are tion, over 43%, with more male respondents (22) than myriad. The checklist of plant species indicates the female respondents (17). The dominant occupation in diverse species exploited and traded in market niches. the village, farming, had more than 51 % respondents. Income is generated by responded as well as by trado The farming occupation was dominated by male re medical care for good health. Table 5a shows the spondents (28) and trading, the next occupation was number of plant species traded and kinds of diseases predominantly carried out by females (17) and only treated and Table 5b indicates the income generated one male. from the sale of products by species and number of respondents. Using a direct market price approach, the financial 5.1 Flora diversity in the village benefits derived from exploiting and trading in the diverse flora species are stated in Table 5b. The major Floristic data were collected in the settlement and the ity of the respondents (48%) were trading in twelve diversity of species recorded is presented in Tables species to generate income from the exploitation and 2-4. The richness ofthe settlement is not limited to its trading in the diverse flora species available in the trees alone; herbs and shrubs, comprising a wide range settlement. of species belonging to several genera, were also re It is however important to state that the respondents corded. do not have a printed lists of the many species in volved, but they know them. Therefore the plant spe cies are of immense importance to the rural populace. 5.2 Socio-economic contribution of Koch (1997) reported a monumental neglect of local floristic diversity knowledge on forests but concluded that environmen tal security lies in the integration of local knowledge Forests and woodlands play critical roles in the sur- and modem learning. Thus, the unprinted lists of many

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of respondents Factor Male Female Total % of total Age (years) 20-30 09 17 26 28.9 31-40 16 21 37 41.1 41-50 14 09 23 25.6 51-60 02 01 03 3.3 >60 01 01 1.1 Total 42 48 90 100 Marital status Married 40 48 88 97.8 Single 02 02 2.2 Total 42 48 90 100 Educational background No formal education 04 08 12 13.3 Primary education 22 17 39 43.4 Secondary education 10 20 30 33.3 Tertiary education 06 03 09 10.0 Total 42 48 90 100 Occupation Farming 28 18 46 51.1 Trading 00 18 18 20.0 Artisan 10 08 18 20.0 Civil service 04 04 08 8.9 Total 42 48 90 100 Source: Field survey, 2010. J. A. SOAGA: Decline in flora deversity and poverty trap in a peri-urban settlement... 155

Table 2 Checklist of plant species and families, trees and shrubs No. Species Common name Family Habit Vitex doniana Verbemaceae Tree 2 Ficus exasperate Sandpaper tree Moraceae Tree 3 Bridelia ferruginea Boraginaceae Tree 4 Blighia sapida Sapindaceae Tree 5 Newbouldia laevis Bignonaceae Tree 6 Psidium guajava Guava Myrtaceae Tree 7 Funtumia africana African rubber Apocynaceae Tree 8 Milicia excelsa Iroko Moraceae Tree 9 Alchornea cordifolia Christmas bush Euphorbiaceae Shrub 10 Tetrapleura tetraptera Leguminosae Tree Sub: Mimosaceae

11 Lonchocarpus cyanensis Dye plant Logantaceae Shrub 12 Alstonia boonei Apocynaceae Tree 13 Parkia biglobossa Locust bean tree Leguminosae Tree Sub: Mimosaceae 14 Elaeis guineensis Oil Palm Palmae Tree 15 Azadirachta indica Neem Avicenniaceae Tree 16 Cassia siamea Leguminosae Tree Sub: Ceasalpiniaceae 17 Mangifera indica Mango Anacardiaceae Tree 18 Morinda lucida Moraceae Tree 19 Jathropha gossypifolia Jathropha Euphorbiaceae Shrub 20 Spondias mombin Anacardiaceae Tree 21 Khaya senegalensis Mahogany Moraceae Tree 22 Bryophyllum pinnatum Air plant Crassulaceae Shrub 23 Calotropis procera Apocynacea Shrub 24 Dioscorea alata Water Yam Dioscoreaceae Shrub 25 Chocorus olitorus Tiliaceae Shrub 26 Tithonia diversifolia Mexican sunflower Asteraceae Shrub 27 Crotolaria retusa Rattle box Leguminosae Shrub Sub: Papilionaceae 28 Lantana camara Lantana Verbemaceae Shrub 29 Indigofera hirsute Hairy indigo Asteraceae Shrub 30 Ocimum basilicum Sweet Basil Lamiaceae Shrub 31 Combretum hirsutum Combretaceae Shrub 32 Malvastrum coromandelianum Malvaceae Shrub 33 Tephrosia bracteolata Leguminosae Shrub Sub: Papilionaceae 34 Bambusa vulgaris Bamboo Poaceae Shrub

Table 3 Checklist of plant species and families, herbs and climbers No. Species Local name Family Habit Tridax procumbens Tridax Asteraceae Herb 2 Nauclea latifolia Rubiaceae Herb 3 Spigelia anthelimia Worm bush Loganiaceae Herb 4 Andropogon tectorum Giant blue stem Poaceae Herb

(To be continued) 156 Forestry Studies in China, Vo1.14, No.2, 2012

Table 3 (continued)

No. Species Local name Family Habit 5 Chromolaena odorata Siam weed Asteraceae Herb 6 Glewis mollis Tiliaceae Herb 7 Setaria barbata Bristly foxtail Poaceae Herb 8 Perotis indica Poaceae Herb 9 Phyllanthus amarus Phyllanthus Euphorbiaceae Herb 10 Aspilia africana Haemorrhage plant Asteraceae Herb 11 Parquitina negrescens Convolvulaceae Climber 12 Mucuna pruriens Leguminosae Climber Sub:Papilionaceae 13 Sorghum arundinaceum Millet Poaceae Herb 14 Amaranthus viridis Amaranth Amaranthaceae Herb 15 Acalypha hispida Euphorbiaceae Herb 16 Physalis angulata Wildcapegooseberry Solanaceae Herb 17 Ipomea triloba Convolvulaceae Climber 18 Mimosa pudica Sensitive plant Leguminosae Climber Sub :Mimosaceae 19 Ipomea asarifolia Morning glory Convolvulaceae Climber 20 Rhychelytrum repens Blanket grass Poaceae Herb 21 Reissantia indica Hippocrateaceae Climber 22 Waltheria indica Sterculiaceae Herb 23 Desmodium tortuosum Florida beggerweed Leguminosae Herb Sub: Papilionaceae 24 Desmodium salicifolium Leguminosae Herb Sub: Papilionaceae 25 Sorghum bicolor Millet Poaceae Herb 26 Zanthosoma esculentum Araceae Herb 27 Euphorbia heterophyla Painted Spurge Euphorbiaceae Herb 28 Pueraria phaseoloides Leguminosae Climber Sub Mimosaceae 29 Paspalum conjugatum Sour grass Poaceae Herb 30 Spermacoce ocymoides Rubiaceae Climber 31 Ageratum conyzoides Goat weed Astereace Herb 32 Telfaria occidentialis Ugwuplant Leguminosae Climber Sub: Papilionaceae 33 Boerhavia diffusa Red spiderling Nyctaginaceae Herb 34 Commelina nudiflora Spreadme dayflower Commelinaceae Herb 35 Talinum triangulare Water leaf Portulaceae Herb 36 Merremia tridentate Convolvulaceae Climber

species in the community contribute to the sustainable biodiversity to society is more difficult to calculate livelihood of the respondents through exploitation, with precision; it is not a tradeable product and has no packaging, trading and indigenous utilization for good economic value, yet it contributes to GDP. The inter health. The importance of the species to the environ action between humanity and floristic diversity pro ment and humanity has been widely documented in vides satisfaction and this contributes to a sustainable the literature but is technically difficult to determine. rural livelihood. According to Kini and Weaver (1994), the value of J. A. SOAGA: Decline in flora deversity and poverty trap in a peri-urban settlement... 157

Table 4 Checklist of aquatic flora Species Common name Family Habit Spirogyra punctata Water silk Zygonemataceae Herb Commelina nodiflora Commelinaceae Herb Sphenodia zeylanica Sphenocleaceae Herb Celosia argentums Amaranthaceae Herb Phyllantus amarus Phyllanthus Euphorbiaceae Herb Spigelia anthelmia Loganiaceae Herb Utricularia gibba Spur bladderwort Lentibulaviaceae Herb Ipomea aquatic Water spinach Convolvulaceae Herb Ipomea asarifolia Swamp morning glory Convolvulaceae Climber Nymphaea lotus Water lily Nymphaeaceae Herb Ludwigia octovalvis Water primrose Onagraceae Herb Ludwigia decurrens Water primrose Onagraceae Herb

Table Sa Quantity of species traded and ailment Ailment No. of species No. of respondents Malaria and body weakness 15 41 Typhoid 6 26 Stomach disorder 3 10 Toothache and vomiting 4 8 Cough 2 5

Table Sb Income (NAD) and quantity of species traded activities such as the sale of firewood collected as well NAD No. of species No. of Percent (%) as that of medicinal plants (leaves, barks and roots). respondents The main forest products contributing to the income <50,000 5 14 15 of the respondents are the sale of medicinal plants, 50,000- 8 33 37 contributing over 50% of the average income of the 75,000 respondents. Perhaps, it is important to state that over 70% of the total respondents were involved in forest 75,000- 12 43 48 100,000 activities. The harvesting and sale of most agricultural product are seasonal occupations and this is augment Source: Field survey, 2010. ed with cash income from forest activities at different times of the year by a few respondents. Both men and women harvest and sell different products.

6 Contribution to livelihood 6.1 Poverty line

There is no doubt that forests play an important role The poverty line was determined for the respondents in the livelihood of rural populations by providing a using an income level approach. The poverty line was wide range of goods and services for both subsistence calculated to be NAD 2,600.00 ($17.33 per month). use and cash income. According to Puustjarvy et al. This finding is in line with World Bank (2009) find (2005), the forest resource management projects in ings of abject poverty in developing countries, es Zambia calculated the cash income derived from the pecially in sub-Saharan countries. Over 70% of the sale number of forest products. A total cash income respondents depend on the environment for their of ZMK 389,849 was reported. This is however in livelihood through farming or exploitation and trading line with the findings in this study with cash income in the floristic diversity of the area. Accordingly, the ranging from NAD 50,000-100,000 per annum per World Bank (2009) reported a new international pov respondent, depending on the number of plant species erty line of $1.25 per day based on purchasing price traded. Their livelihood is based on a combination of parity revised poverty estimates. The poverty line is 158 Forestry Studies in China, Vo1.14, No.2, 2012

far below the revised estimates and therefore the re and trading in flora diversity in terms of leaves, barks spondents could categorically be confirmed to be poor and roots of plant species could no longer be sus using the World Bank standard. tained. Perhaps, it suffices to add that the initial dis It should also be noted that the level of poverty inci posal of inherited family land contributed significantly dence in Ogun State rose from 20% in 1980 to 81.25% to the income in the area but this cannot be sustained in 2004 (NBS, 2009). The poverty incidence has not since the available land is fixed which, in the end, will changed and therefore the populace relies more and become exhausted. Therefore, the limited communal more on the environment for sustenance. The pov land available in the settlement cannot accommodate erty incidence in Ogun State is even higher than the the population of those that depend on the environ national poverty incidence which stood at 54.4% in ment for their source of livelihood. However, with 2004. This condition requires government interven over 70% of the respondents fully dependent on the tion to bring back or at least reduce to a minimal level environment and limited communal land, the majority the poverty incidence to increase forest resilience and of the respondents are trapped within the poverty cy protect the environment. cle where they rely on only few collections of diverse flora products available to them. This was not the case before the transfer of land ownership to individuals 6.2 Flora diversity decline infiltrating the settlement. There is no doubt that with the erection of structures on individual plots over time, There is a strong linkage between poverty and envi the poverty trap will become more pronounced. Also, ronmental degradation. According to Ogwumike and the disappearing forest in the settlement contributes to Ozughalu (2001), poverty and environmental degra the loss of terrestrial fauna species and the disruption dation have a bi-causal relationship. Poverty brings of a fascinating array of ecological processes leading about environmental degradation. The poor continue to ugly landscapes resulting from erosion. to struggle for survival and in most cases they do this at the expense of the environment. Consequently, most respondents in the settlement sold their estates for in 7 Conclusions come and therefore transfer the inheritance to the pur chaser. The pattern of land ownership in the settlement is dominated by personal ownership (individual). Over Biodiversity plays a significant role in Ijeun Lukosi 84% of the respondents confirmed that personal land village as a source of livelihood and for good health. tenure changed the tenure system in the settlement as The majority of the respondents when sick, often take presented in Table 6. natural medicines derived from plants readily avail The World Bank (1996) reported that over 60% of able in the community, instead of using pills. The Nigerians are poor with progressively worsening wel availability of these natural medicines depends on fare and poverty conditions. Accordingly, HDR (1998) forest resilience in the settlement. However, the high revealed that Nigeria ranks 154th on the Human poverty incidence in Ogun State, coupled with an in Poverty Index (HPI) and is therefore the 20th poorest flux of people into the village, led to the destruction country in the World. The findings in this study coin of flora diversity consequent upon a change in the cide with the World Bank and HDR positions. Thus, land tenure system. Forest resilience therefore has no the change in the tenure system promoted the removal significance except on marginal communal land in the of flora diversity for other economic activities. The area. The personal land tenure system aggravated the multiplier effect of diversity decline include habitat destruction offloral diversity as a result of the conver destruction, loss of forest, types of food, fuelwood and sion of land to other uses. As a result of this change, medicine along with the disappearance of animals in the community is now trapped in poverty as income the area due to human activities within individual land from land sales was not sustainable for livelihood. estates. As a result of this personal tenure system, the The declaration of 2010 as the international year available sources of rural livelihood, i.e., exploitation of Biodiversity by the United Nations therefore calls for more awareness in biodiversity at local, regional and national levels. In view of this conclusion, it is Table 6 Pattern ofland tenure suggested that the people of Ijeun Lukosi should be Factor Number Percent (%) provided with alternative sources of income through Personal land 76 84.4 government intervention. The community also re Communal land 14 15.6 quires education in terms of enlightenment on the Total 90 100 global position of United Nations activities on the conservation of biodiversity to appreciate further the Source: Field survey, 2010. value of their resources. Again, the community should J. A. 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