Scholarly works
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://repository.ui.edu.ng/handle/123456789/599
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item ASSESSMENT OF THE ECOTOURISM POTENTIALS OF OSUN OSOGBO WORLD HERITAGE SITE OSUN STATE, NIGERIA(2014) WAHAB, Munir, Karounwi, Adegoke.Uncontrolled entry into World Heritage Sites (WHS) and other tourism sites may impact negatively on vegetation and wild animal populations, thereby reducing their potential for ecotourism development. Balanced site ecology and conducive socio-economic environment are germane to sustainable ecotourism development. Needed, information on these is not well documented for Osun Osogbo WHS. Therefore, some aspects of site ecology and socio-economic variables were investigated in Osun Osogbo WHS, Nigeria. The study was carried out using three sets of structured questionnaires, personal interview and field surveys. The sets of questionnaire were systematically administered on fifty local residents, randomly administered on 100 tourists and 60% of the WHS staff (50), respectively. Information was obtained on wildlife resources, tourism potentials, managerial challenges and administrative approaches. Within the three vegetation zones in the site: Dry High Forest (DHF), Dry Savanna Forest (DSF) and Riparian Forest (RF), samples of water were taken and nutrient agars were used to isolate their pathogens. Also, three sample plots (30mx30m) were laid in each zone for vegetation survey to determine Diameter at Breast Height (DBH), Basal Area (BA) and volume of trees. Point count and Rodger's methods were used to enumerate birds and terrestrial wildlife, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square and ANOVA at α0.05. Anthropogenic activities identified within the site were farming (37.3%), firewood and medicinal plants collection (20.9%), illegal grazing (17.1%), poaching (10.5%), fishing (9.2%) and crafting (5.0%). In order of importance, income (32.0%), literacy level (26.5%) and tourist’s interest in culture (23.5%) were perceived to impact tourism in the WHS. The modal age group of tourists was 10-20years (40.5%). Tourist's visitation to WHS was found to be dependent on their age (χ2 = 12.97; df = 4; α0.01). Tourists population was observed to fluctuate between 38,000 in 2006 and 63,000 in 2010, while internally generated revenue recorded during these period was between N120, 000:00 and N250, 000:00. Bacteria isolated from the water included: Escherichia coli (8xl04cfu/mL), Salmonella sp. (7.5xl04 cfu/mL), Staphylococus sp. (5.5xl04 cfu/mL), Vibro cholera (7.5xl04 cfu/mL) and Shigella sp. (3xl04 cfu/mL). Absolute density of woody plants was 187 trees/ha. Cola milleni had the highest (18.71/ha) density on the site, while Antiaris toxicaria, Anthodeista dyalonensis, Funtumia elastica and Milicia excelsa had the least with 0.53/ha each. The BA in DHF, DSF and RF were 0.75±1.9m2, 0.82±3.1m2 and 0.15±0.3m2 respectively. Tree volume in DHF (0.92±2.0) m3, DSF (0.41±1.12) m3 and RF (0.13±0.28) m3 were significantly different. The DBH in DHF (22.42±21.6), DS (20.47±25.44) and RF (11.64±7.3) were also significantly different. The study area was covered by luxuriant vegetation types and was mainly inhabited by white throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster). Sixteen reptiles, 13 avians and 20 other wildlife species were identified in the site with the white throated monkey (Cercopithecus erythrogaster) being the most sighted wild animal. Osun Osogbo world heritage site has high potential for ecotourism development. There was evidence of inadequate management and human pressure. Habitat improvement, enhanced site protection and public awareness campaign were therefore recommended.Item SNAKES DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION IN KAINJI LAKE NATIONAL PARK (KLNP), NIGERIA(2016-09) OYELEYE, David, Olayinka.Snake is an important agent in ecosystem balance but people’s fear makes it difficult to conserve. Thus, its diversity is declining rapidly due to anthropogenic factors. Information on snake species in Kainji Lake National Park (KLNP) is scarce despite their socio-economic value as source of antivenin, food, leather products and pets. Therefore, snake diversity and distribution in KLNP Nigeria were investigated. Ten transect strips of 2 km each were laid in five ranges (Oli, Ibbi, Kuble, Doro and Kali) randomly selected from seven ranges in KLNP. Visual Encounter Survey was conducted along each transect to determine snake diversity and relative abundance during the day (09.00 - 12.00 h) and at night (19.00 - 21.00 h). Visit was replicated twice in each month both in dry (December – April) and wet (June - October) seasons in two consecutive years (2013 - 2014). Dead snakes were collected, preserved in 20% formalin solution and their morphometric parameters measured. Respondents (226) from 12 villages randomly selected from 21 villages at the buffer zones of KLNP were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Relative Abundance and diversity of snakes were measured using Simpson’s (D) and Shannon-Weiner’s (H) diversity indices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Twenty-one species of snake belonging to 12 genera representing six families were identified. Eleven species (6 families) were observed at Oli, 14 species (6) at Ibbi, 13 species (4) at Kuble, 8 species (4) at Doro and 12 species (3 families) at Kali range. Bitis arientans (38.0%) had the highest abundance followed by Boaedon lineatus (15.5%), Dendroapis jamesoni (8.0%) and Naja nigricolis (7.0%) and the least encountered (1.0% each) were Bitis gabonica, Causus Litchtensteini, and Mehelya Crossi. Ibbi range had the highest diversity index (D = 0.781 and H’ = 1.667) and Kali range with the best evenness (0.957). Significant differences were observed in number of ventral scales (0.023), Inter-orbital length (0.025), snout- vent length (0.004) and head width (0.009) of different snake species. Pythonidae (8.5%, 48.5.0%),Viperidae (34.1%, 12.1%), columbridae (37.0%, 12.1%) and Elapidae (23.4%, 24.3% ) were encountered during the day and night respectively. During wet season, 16.8%, 47.9%, 0.0%, 35.3% of Culubridae, Elapidae, Pythonidae, and Viperidae were encountered respectively while 28.5%, 15.3%, 35.6%, 20.6% of Culubridae, Elapidae, Pythonidae, and Viperidae were encountered during the dry season respectively. Snakes are utilised for preparation of traditional medicine (55.0%), decoration (20.0%), leather products (11.0%), Pets and entertainment (10.0%) and food (4.0%). Majority of respondents (56.0%) observed a decrease in snake population in the last deacade. Half of snake bites occurred on the farm with Bitis arientans (50.0%) and Naja nigricolis (38.0%) responsible for most bites. The leg was the major point of bites (70.0%) and mostly in male respondents (85.9%). Twenty one species of snake were identified in Kainji Lake National Park. Bitis arientans and Boaedon lineatus were the dominant snake species. Ibbi range had the best snake species richness. Bitis arientans and Naja nigricolis were responsible for most bites in the study area.Item BITUMEN SEEPAGE AND ITS EFFECTS ON BIODIVERSITY IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA(2013) OGUNSUSI, KAYODEBiodiversity enhances capacity of ecosystems to provide food resources and sequestration services of pollutants in soil and water. Bitumen seepage could impact negatively on soil and vegetation, thereby reducing their value. Information on the impact of bitumen seepage on the abundance of biodiversity in Nigeria is scanty. In this study, effects of bitumen seepage on biodiversity were therefore investigated. The study was conducted in bitumen belt of Ondo state for three years, with and without evidence of bitumen seepage in Ode-Irele and Ebute-Irele respectively. Composite samples of soil and foliar tissues of six most commonly occurring plants: Panicum laxum, Panicum maximum, Lycopodium cernuum, Calopogonium mucunoides, Pteridium aquilinium and Centrosema molle were collected from experimental sites and analysed for presence of heavy metals (copper, zinc, lead, chromium, cadmium, nickel and arsenic) using standard procedure. Water samples at depth of 30 cm midstream were collected for physicochemical analysis: (sulphate, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and turbidity analysis) using standard methods. Vegetation cover was sampled using 5m x 5m sample plots for trees ( ≥10 cm diameter at breast height) and shrubs, while 1m x 1m sub-plot was used for herbs. Point count and line transect methods were used to enumerate birds and other wild animals respectively. Flora and fauna diversities on experimental sites in wet and dry seasons were assessed using Shannon-Wiener (H1) and Simpson (D) indices. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at p=0.05. In soil, significantly lower values of copper (139.6 ± 73.8mg/kg) and zinc (219.7 ± 106.1mg/kg) were in polluted sites compared with values in control. In foliar tissues, higher levels of lead (4.0 ± 0.8mg/kg); chromium (11.9 ± 1.9mg/kg); cadmium (2.2 ± 3.4mg/kg); nickel (21.2 ± 3.0mg/kg); and arsenic (0.4 ± 0.3mg/kg) were average values found in combinations of all the plants considered namely P. laxum, P. maximum, L. cernuum, C. mucunoides, P. aquilinium and C. molle in seepage sites compared with values in control. Water on seepage site had significantly higher values of sulphate (6.0 ± 0.8mg/L), COD (553.6 ± 343.7mg/L), and turbidity (19.3 ± 12.0 NTU) than those in control. Number of different species of shrubs (797.0 ± 198.6/ha), herbs (29999.9 ± 5798.8/ha), birds (14.2 ± 9.3/ha), and terrestrial wildlife (60.3 ± 11.6/ha) in seepage site were significantly lower than that in control [(2799.8 ± 1195.9/ha), (69977.8 ± 18298.9/ha), (49.6 ± 15.6/ha) and (140.3±32.6/ha) respectively]. Raphia longiflora (H1=0.33, D=0.01), Chromolaena odorata (H1=0.52, D=0.05), Ageratum conyzoides (H1=0.44, D=0.02), Cinnamopteryx castaneofuscus (H1=0.56, D=0.06) and Achatina spp (H1=0.68, D=0.18) had highest abundance in the study area. Seasonal abundance of herbs (541,666.7 ± 409899.9/ha), birds (166.4 ± 60.4/ha), and other wild animals (336.7 ± 223.9/ha) on experimental sites in wet season was significantly higher than that of dry season. At the end of the three years study, heavy metals in plants and pollutants in water were high in bitumen seepage area. There were declines in diversities of birds, other wild animals and flora caused by bitumen seepage.Item APPRAISAL OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENTS IN ECOTOURISM INDUSTRY IN OGUN STATE, NIGERIA(2013) LAWAL, M. S.Ecotourism is a capital intensive industry that requires private sector participation to complement government’s efforts in its development. Information on private investments contributions to Ogun state ecotourism industries is scanty. This study was therefore carried out to appraise private sector investments in ecotourism in Ogun state with the view to ascertaining economic viability of investing in the industry. The twenty-eight registered private ecotourism firms (botanical garden, resort centre, zoological garden, wildlife souvenir and water recreation/natural pool) in Ogun state were enumerated. Purposive sampling was used for the selection of 65 hospitality firms (hotel, catering services and motel) within five to 10km radius of the firms. Primary data were obtained from relevant governmental and non-governmental agencies, community based and labour organisations using structured questionnaire on demography of investors (proprietors), existing government policies on tourism investments, factors militating against investments and promotions of private investments in ecotourism. Cost-Benefit Ratio (CBR), Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and Rate of Return on Investments (RRI) were determined to assess the economic viability of investing in ecotourism site. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi square at p = 0.05. Private investments in ecotourism firms were in resort centres (39.2%), botanical gardens (17.4%), water recreation (26.1%), wildlife souvenir (13.1%) and zoological gardens (4.2%). Meanwhile, 36.9% of the private investors have been in the business for more than 10 years. Sources of capital for initial investments in ecotourism industry were bank loan (30.3%), personal savings (43.4%), government assisted (3.9%) and informal loans (22.4%). The patronage patterns of ecotourism sites in Ogun state were weekdays (8.6%), weekends (26.1%), public holiday (57.1%) and vacation/leave (8.2%). Initial total investments cost was between N 3,155,000 and N25, 012,000. The least average price charged visitor/tourist for services rendered by the firm were N200. Furthermore, 92.1% of investors were of the views that budgetary allocations to ecotourism industry are insufficient. However, 98.7% of the investors in ecotourism regarded electricity supply as epileptic whereas 82.9% considered the present condition of road facilities and network in Ogun state as bad. There was significant relationship between private investments and operational registration of business with government (χ² = 76.89), incentive for investors (χ² = 39.77) and marketing strategies/sales promotion (χ² = 28.37) in ecotourism industry. Private investments in ecotourism site in Ogun state had cost-benefit ratios between 1.14 and 1.80. The NPV was positive at 25.0% and 35.0% interest rates. The IRR was above the interest rates with minimum and maximum values of 57.2% and 137.4% respectively. The RRI was positive with highest return of 79.7% on interest rate of 25% except for one firm which had 23.6% returns. Existing private investments in ecotourism sites in Ogun state were economically viable but in a small scale. It is important that the state government aggressively improves on infrastructural development and budgetary allocations to ecotourism for rapid development of the industry.