Population status and distribution of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis Matschie, 1900) in Okomu National Park and Omo Forest Reserve, South-Western Nigeria

The study was carried out to determine the population status and distribution of forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis Matschie, 1900) in Okomu National Park (ONP) and Omo Forest Reserve (OFR), Nigeria. The Line Transect Survey Method, footprints analysis, trail cameras and in-depth discussion were used for data collection spanning between April 2015 and March 2016. Elephant densities were computed as described by Barnes and Jensen (1987), while the estimate of elephant numbers was extrapolated from the footprints diameter data. A mean density of 0.15 elephants/km2 was obtained for the rainy season in ONP, while it was 0.08 elephants/km2 during the dry season. In OFR, mean density was 0.14 elephants/km2 for the rainy season, while it was 0.06 elephants/km2 during the dry season. The estimate of elephant numbers revealed a total of 33 elephants comprising 24 adults (72.73%) and nine young ones (27.27%) in ONP. On the other hand, OFR support about 28 elephants consisting of 22 (78.57) adults and six young ones (21.43). Elephants were more randomly distributed during the rainy season than the dry season in the two study sites. However, within the two sites, the animals were restricted to few areas of the forest complex. The main factors contributing to the distribution of elephants in the study area are water and food availability, human disturbance and settlement camps. With the continued habitat alteration and anthropogenic pressure, especially in OFR, the population status of elephants remains a matter of significant concern.Keywords: forest elephants, dung counts, footprints analysis, population status, Nigeri

Phytochemical screening of selected browse species in Federal College Wildlife Maanagement New Bussa, Niger State

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of phytochemical nutrients (saponins, flavonoids, phtobatanin, chakones and glycosides) in ten different plants species, Burkea africana, Sterculia setigera, Nauclea latifolia, Khaya senegalensis, Entanda africana, Parkia biglobosa, Terminalia microptera, Bridelia ferugina, Boswellia dalzeli and Vitex doniana were investigated were assessed. The phytochemical test was conducted on the ethanol extracts of leaves and bark of the plants investigated. The plant materials, Parkia biglobosa, Terminalia microptera, and Khaya senegalensis were found to contain all the active components assessed. Highest (83.20%) percentage of dry matter occurred in Terminalia microptera and the least (52.19% ) in Nunclae latifolia. The highest parentage of Saponin occurred in Pakia biglobosa (85 ±0.332mg/g) while the least was recorded in Boswellia dalzelli (58.54 ±0.752mg/g). Highest parentage of flavonoids occurred in Terminalia microptera (52 ±0.842 mg/g) and the lowest value (24.64 ±0.47 mg/g) in Sterculia setigera. Generally, low value of total phenol with the highest value found in Khaya Senegalensis (3.45 ±0.032mg/g) and least value in Terminalia microptera (0.435±0.007mg/g) this can be attributed to microclimate, genetic formation or immature parts of the plant sampled. The study provided awareness on the potential value of the plants and ecological importance of the studied area.Keywords: Active constituents, wild plants, qualitative and quantitative, medicinal value

Community-based Forest Resources Management in Nigeria: Case study of Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, Taraba State, Nigeria

In Nigeria, human communities are found within or beside forest ecosystems, depending onthese ecosystems for survival. Their forest exploitation is considered a threat to conservation efforts,leading to constant conflicts between Government, law enforcement agencies and the communities. Thebest solution is a win-win system of participatory community-based forest resources management, inwhich the communities are regarded as stakeholders rather than as threats. This paper explains theadoption of this approach in Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, where the communities weretrained in establishment and management of forest plantations with readily available market for theirtimber; employment for some of the community youths as well as community development projects.This paper calls for the adoption of this system in other protected areas in Nigeria, while theGovernment should provide basic amenities for the communities as alternatives to those forest products.Keywords: Community-based forest management, Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Protected areas, Nigeria

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. METHODS: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. FINDINGS: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). INTERPRETATION: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden

Socio-economic potentials and threats to the African walnut in tropical lowland rainforests of southwest Nigeria

The African walnut, Plukenetia conophora Mull-Arg (Syn. Tetracarpidium conophorum) is an important climber species that contributes immensely to food security and poverty alleviation in communities within the humid tropical forests of West and Central Africa. However, the challenges facing its year-round availability have not been fully documented and precise data on its contributions to livelihoods of forest dependent households is lacking. Therefore, this work was carried out to fill this knowledge gap as well as make suggestions on ways to promote the use and sustainable development of this valuable product. Snowball and simple random sampling techniques were used to collect data from harvesters (8) and marketers (51) within and around Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, Southwest Nigeria. Data obtained were analysed by means of descriptive and inferential test statistics. An estimated 30.01kg of African walnut was extracted per month between May-September each year in Omo and Shasha Forest Reserves, contributing about ₦615,833.30 to the rural economies of both areas. About 17.0% of respondents generated income between ₦11,000.00 - ₦20,000.00 per month, representing up to 50.0% of their monthly income during production period. Factors and threats affecting product availability were: seasonality (64.3%), destruction of parent plants (28.6%), consumption of nuts by wild animals (28.6%), pest and diseases infestation (7.1%), and spoilage during storage (7.1%). Income generated by respondents were impacted by sex (χ2 = 7.714, df = 2, p = 0.021), level of education (χ2 = 8.476, df = 2, p = 0.014) and trading experience (r = 2.413; p = 0.019). An improvement in the production, processing and marketing of African walnut will better the living conditions and enhance the status of both harvesters and marketers. These will have multiplier effects on the conservation of the available germplasm in the wild.Keywords: African walnut; NTFPs; household income; tropical lowland rainfores

Ethnobotany and Conservation of Plant Resources of Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria

researchThe study was conducted to generate baseline data for the conservation and sustainable use of woody resources in Kainji Lake National Park. The study objectives were to document local knowledge on uses, status and sustainable management of selected woody species. Using both ethnobotanical and quantitative ecological methods, the study was carried out in the Borgu sector of the park. A total of 37 plants species belonging to 18 families were selected using a ranking and prioritization scale. Family-Fabaceae was the dominant family in terms of number of species represented. The species are multipurpose and are exploited to satisfy different subsistence needs. Among the plant-use categories, medicinal uses ranked highest (38%) followed by edible plants (25%), miscellaneous purposes (24%), and construction (13%). In terms of species status, Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. has the highest mean frequency of 68.9% and a population density of 3.036 + 1.7 individuals/ha. This is followed by Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. with 55.6% mean frequency and a population density of 2.143 + 1.7 individuals/ ha. There was no significant relationship between the useful value of a species and its density rank (R= 0.047; R2 = 0.002; F= 0.783) in the study area. Thus, the study recommends a holistic approach that includes the involvement of the local people in the management of woody species