DEPARTMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
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Item Effects of Land Use Changes On Flora Diversity in Oba Division of the Cross River National Park, Nigeria(2015) Ikyaagba, E. T.; Jimoh, S. O.; Amonum, J. I.The Oban Division of the Cross River national Park, Nigeria, is a globally renowned biodiversity hotspot. The area is experiencing rapid land use changes and little efforts have been made to document the effects of the changes on biodiversity. The study investigated the effects of different land use types on flora composition, distribution and diversity in the area with a view to generating data that will support conservation decisions. The area was stratified into four: primary forest (core), secondary forest (buffer), farm fallow and plantation. Ten transects of 2 km length each were systematically located in each land use type. Four sample plots of 50×50 m were located on each transect at an interval of 500 m. Each plot was subdivided into 10×10 m subplots; and nine subplots were randomly selected for the enumeration of trees, shrubs and climbers. A 1×1 m miniplot was then located at the centre of each subplot for herb enumeration. Flora species composition was estimated across the land use types using species diversity indices and Jaccard similarity indices. Composition, species richness and diversity of trees, shrubs and climbers all decreased from the core to plantation. However, herb species composition, richness and diversity increased from core to farm fallow. Significant differences in species composition were obtained across land use types at 5%. The highest tree species similarities were recorded between core and buffer. The highest similarities for shrubs, herbs and climbers were recorded between farm fallow and plantation. The absence of species previously recorded in the core, and in the other land use types makes it imperative that conservation efforts be improved and extended to areas beyond the core in order to save the remaining flora diversity in this forestItem Local depletion of two larger Duikers in the Oban Hills Region, Nigeria(Blackwell Publishing Ltd, 2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Ikyaagba, E. T.; Alarape, A. A.; Adeyemi, A. A.; Waltert, M.Across West and Central Africa, duikers are important for trade and consumption; their populations are expected to become depleted. Reliable data on their status are scanty in Nigeria. We assessed duiker populations in the Oban Sector of Cross River National Park through diurnal and nocturnal surveys along 32 transects of 2 km each. After 508-km survey effort, only Ogilby’s duiker (Cephalophus ogilbyi) and blue duiker (Philantomba monticola) were recorded. Using habitat as a covariate in modeling detection probability in DISTANCE 6.0, we estimated densities for the blue duiker ranging from 15.5 (95% CI: 7.8–30.9) in the core, 5.8 (CI: 2.6–12.9) in the buffer and 0.9 (CI: 0.09–10.1) km² in farm fallow to no duikers in the plantation. For Ogilby’s duiker, densities ranged from 1.6 (95% CI: 0.7–3.7) km² in the core, 2.0 (CI: 0.8–5.1) in buffer to no duikers in farm fallow and plantation. The apparent absence of yellow-backed and Bay duikers may indicate local depletion. We call on all stakeholders to rise up to the challenge of rescuing this biological hotspot in Nigeria from further degradation and species loss through improved funding for well-equipped field staff and institutionalized community wildlife managementItem The Role of Traditional Laws and Taboos in Wildlife Conservation in the Oban Hill Sector of Cross River National Park (CRNP), Nigeria(2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Ikyaagba, E. T.; Alarape, A. A.; Obioha, E. E.; Adeyemi, A. A.Efforts to integrate rural people into biodiversity conservation through community-based conservation programs is an old tradition. These efforts were largely based on economic incentives, with little or no attention given to the role of culture and traditions in building support for conservation. Although these strategies are useful in promoting conservation and local empowerment, they are still fragile. Scholars suggest that incorporation of traditional values which reflect locally important cultural practices of the people into the management of conservation areas in Africa will help in their successful conservation. There is a strong need to assess cultural practices; traditional laws and taboos of the people in protected areas, and how they have assisted conservation in the past. To understand how such practices could be strengthened and incorporated into natural resources management and conservation strategies, there is a need to have a general overview of existing practices. The study analyzes the ways in which cultural practices and value systems of the people of Oban Sector of Cross River National Park Nigeria, have aided conservation in the past and how such practices can be encouraged, strengthened and replicated for sustainable natural resources management in the study area and possibly proposed for adoption elsewhere. Ten cultural institutions and seven laws and taboos which regulate the use of resources were recorded in the area. These laws and taboos were respected by all indigenes. Eleven animal species were found to be forbidden by the people. Some of the tabooed animals were for spiritual reasons while some were for medicinal purposes. Every community had sacred forests, called Mgbe forest (Eten Mgbe) The social organizations in the area ensured that these taboos are obeyed. Presence of other tribes, new religions/westernization, use of modern hunting equipments and poverty pose a threat to the effectiveness of these taboos as a conservation tool. Adaptation of some aspects of these taboos may be valuable for wildlife conservation, particularly in protected areasItem Forest Structure Analysis in the Oban Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria(David Publishing Company, 2012) Jimoh, S. O.; Adesoye, P. O.; Adeyemi, A. A.; Ikyaagba, E. T.Information on forest structure is important for forest management decisions. This is inadequate in many situations, especially where timber is not of primary interest. We analyzed the structure of two forest types in the Oban Division of Cross River National Park, Nigeria. Systematic sampling technique was used to establish two transects measuring 2,000 x 2 m, at 600 m interval in the two forest types in four locations. Four 50 m x 50 m plots were located alternately at 500 m intervals along each transect, constituting 32 plots per forest type and 64 plots in all. Diameters at breast height (DBH), base; middle and top; crown diameter; total height and crown length were measured on all trees with DBH > 10 cm. There were 159 stems/ha in the close-canopy forest and 132 stems/ha in the secondary forest. The mean DBH were 34.5 cm and 33.62 cm respectively. The mean heights were 24.79 m and 23.97 m, respectively. Basal area/ha were 41.59 m2 ha'1 and 27.38 m2 ha'1 for the two forest types. Majority of the trees encountered in the two forest types belonged to the middle stratum which has implication for small mammals’ populations. Emergent trees which are otherwise scarce in other parts of the country were recorded, which also has implications for density thinning and seed suppliesItem Biodiversity and ethnobotanical potentials of plant species of University of Agriculture Makurdi Wildlife Park and Ikwe Games Reserve, Benue State, Nigeria(International Formulae Group, 2009) Jimoh, S. O.; Debisi, L. A. A.; Ikyaagba, E. T.Plant biodiversity and ethnobotanical potentials of University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM) Wildlife Park and Ikwe Games Reserve, Benue State, Nigeria, were investigated in this study. Floristic survey was conducted in the two reserves using stratified sampling technique based on the three identified microhabitats in each of the reserves. Nine plots measuring 25 m x 25 m were laid in each of the reserves to survey trees and shrubs with diameters at breast height (dbh) 5 cm and above. Within each plot, 5 sub-plots of 1 m × 1 m were established to assess plants below 5 cm dbh. Participatory ethnobotany and interview were used for the ethnobotanical survey. Seventy-one valuable species belonging to 39 families were identified. Ninety-three percent of these have more than one use; categories with medicinal uses topping the list (48%). Other uses include: wood (35%) and food (17%). Harvesting techniques in many of the species were intensive and destructive. It is suggested that harvesting of plant products in these reserves be controlled through monitoring and enlightenment.