Evaluation of Range Condition and Trend of Ikwe Forest Reserve Igbor, Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria
Journal Title: Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology - Year 2017, Vol 3, Issue 3
Abstract
Public concern over biological resources assessment has grown over the decade due to a decline in resources through habitat fragmentation. The study was designed to evaluate the range condition and trend of Ikwe Forest Reserve in Gwer-East local government area of Benue State, Nigeria. Assessment of herbaceous cover and composition, woody plant/shrubs density and plant vigor were carried out in randomly selected sample plots. Litter cover was determined by step point transect method, while erosion and its extent were assessed by presence and degree of gullies. Data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results obtained showed that the herbaceous cover composed of perennials (39%) and annuals (61%). Mean litter cover and mean tree/shrub density were 37% and 252 trees and shrubs per hectare. The relative density of general herbaceous species shows that Ludwigia decurrens was the highest (8.22%) whilst Tephrosia bracteolate was the lowest (1.27%). Grass species shows that pennisetum pendicellatum had the highest relative density at 17.58% (320 species) while Mariscus alternifolis has the lowest at 1.21% (22 species). The range condition was evaluated to be in fair condition (total score of 41.5%) when compared to a key for rating condition, and on a downward trend because of the rapid succession of less desirable plants (annuals and weeds), stunted plants and presence of slight erosion. Range management and improvement practices such as prescribed burning, range seeding and reseeding, control rate of livestock grazing and other sustainable management practices should be put in place to restore the reserve.
Authors and Affiliations
G. O. Yager, A. A. Alarape, M. S. Bunza
Assessment of Effects of Brewery Waste Water Discharge and Self Purification Potential of “Rafin Giya” Stream in Kudenda Industrial Layout, Kaduna Nigeria
Flowing surface water bodies have natural capacities to purify themselves from pollutions that come into them from external sources. The impact of the effluents of a brewing industry located in Kaduna on Rafin Giya strea...
Macro- and Trace Elements in Freshwater Lake Sediments in the South of West Siberia
Aim: Recently lake sediments and their studies have been drawing increasing attention due to organic farming and environmental engineering. This pilot study was carried out to examine chemical element content in sediment...
Effect of Climate Change on Soil Productivity in Developing Countries
Climatic change may occur due to high greenhouse gas emissions arising from dependence on solid fuel which triggers frequent environmental disasters such as extreme heat, droughts, floods, cyclones in many developing cou...
Quantifying Natural Groundwater Recharge Using Tracer and Other Techniques
Groundwater is the main source of water supply to both urban and rural populations as well as to industry and agriculture. Among various water cycle characteristics, groundwater recharge is the leading hydrologic paramet...
Causes of Deforestation and Its Geological Impacts in Swat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
The most alarming threat to the forest are human being, their actions results transformation of forest lands representing one of the excessive forces in worldwide ecological change and one of the great drivers of biodive...