Article

Assessment of Forest Degradation Indices in Mokwa Forest Reserve, Niger State, Nigeria

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Abstract

Forest degradation has become a major concern in many countries around the world as it has become one of the most debilitating land use crisis in tropical ecosystems. Hence, this study assessed the forest degradation indices in Mokwa forest reserve. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and field reconnaissance survey. Five settlements were selected in and around the forest reserve namely Mokwa, Jangi, Epa, Kpataki and Tswanle. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that farming (41.7%) was the main occupation of the people, artisan works (18.8%) and studentship had the least (4.2%). Briquetting of charcoal (20.8%) was the highest causes of forest degradation; commercial farming (18.8%), overgrazing (16.7%) and population increase was the least (4.2%).Global warming (22.9%) was the major effect ofdegradation in the study area, soil erosion (20.8%) and the least was low rainfall (9.4%). Agroforestry practices (27.1%) were recorded as the main mitigation measure for reducing degradation in the area. This was followed by Afforestation and enrichment planting (22.9%), tree planting campaign (18.8%) and the least was forest conservation and management (6.3%). The stepwise multiple regression analysis of the causes with other variables showed that briquetting of charcoal had the highest R2 (0.88), followed by commercial farming R2 (0.84), while population increase had the least R2 (0.57). Nevertheless, sustainable empowerment programs are recommended to boost the livelihood of the rural populace and to reduce the overdependence of the people on the forest reserve. Keywords: forest degradation, enrichment planting, livelihood, briquetting.

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... This implies that the respondents are not unaware of the consequences of deforestation but they still choose to continue with their actions of deforestation. This result is similar to the earlier report of Jeminiwa, et al. [9] on the assessment of forest degradation indices in the Mokwa forest reserve, Niger state, Nigeria; who reported that wind storm and flooding are some of the effects of deforestation in the study area. Fig. 2(c) presents the analysis of those who said that they were not able to commence planting at the right time. ...
... This result is similar to the earlier report of Jeminiwa, et al. [9] on the assessment of forest degradation indices in the Mokwa forest reserve, Niger state, Nigeria; who reported that some of the effects of deforestation in the study area include climate change which resulted to erratic rainfall season leading to late planting of crops in some years. ...
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