EFFECTS OF MODERN YAM FARMING ON TREE SPECIES CONSERVATION IN BENUE STATE NIGERIA
Keywords:
wooden stake, yam, conservation, sustainable management, tree speciesAbstract
Effects of modern yam farming system on tree species abundance and conservation status was studied in Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), Nigeria. Data were obtained through the use of semi structured questionnaire and woody species field survey using purposive and simple random sampling methods. Five (5) districts out of thirteen (13) were randomly selected using a sampling intensity of 40%. A total of 250 respondents (50 per district) who practice the modern system of yam farming were randomly sampled for the study. A total of ten (10) rectangular sampling plots of (100x100) m (1 ha) was established at random in the study (two plots per district), all the individual trees with ≥10 cm DBH existing within the plots were identified and counted. Data were analyzed using quantitative parameters (IUCN red list of threatened species) and qualitative tools (tables, percentages, frequency and ANOVA) through SPSS version 20 software. Results of the study revealed that majority of the respondents were male (76.40%), married (78.00) and middle-aged farmers who are active and energetic in carrying out farming practices such as pruning, lopping, clear cutting, site preparation. The result indicated that majority of farmers (90.40%) harvest wood from natural forests (62.40%) and plantations (32.40%) for yam staking using unsustainable method of destroying the whole plant. This practice decreases the availability of tree resources at high rate (67.60%). A total of 43 species representing 23 families was encountered with Vitex donniana having the highest number of trees (12.53%). Majority of the tree species (91.00%) were found as Least Concern in the study area. The ANOVA results showed significant difference, implying that yam cultivation has produced a significant effect on tree species abundance in the study area. This suggests the use of alternative stakes and the implementation of conservation policies and agroforestry practices in the study area.
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