Socio-Economic Benefits of Iroko Trees (Milicia excelsa Welw C.C. Berg) in Ibadan Metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria

A complete survey of Iroko trees in Ibadan metropolis was carried out with the view to determining their distribution and status. The entire of Ibadan City was considered for the study. The city was divided into sections and a reconnaissance survey was conducted to confirm existence of the tree species within each of the section. Direct observation of the already identified Iroko trees was then carried out during the actual data collection stage of the study. Permissions were sought before data collection was carried out on the identified trees. A total of 62 Iroko trees were surveyed; out of these, 33 (53.2%) stands were accessible while the remaining 29 stands (46.8%) were inaccessible. Many of the trees that could not be accessed were a result of restriction into the location where they exist. The most frequently observed benefit obtained trees are shade from direct sunlight and cool breeze it creates. Other uses of trees include peeling of the tree bark and used in preparation of local medicine, fetish activities on and around the tree, and use of the fallen branches as firewood. There is urgent need for appropriate protection strategies of these remaining indigenous tree species where they exist. Keywords: Milicia excelsa, endangered species, urban forest, bark slashing, medicines, restriction, Ibada

Morphological and anatomical studies on Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze (Taccaceae) in Nigeria

Tacca leontopetaloides is the only species in the genus Tacca naturally distributed in the Guinea savannah and dry rainforest regions in Nigeria. The study was conducted to contribute to scientific knowledge on the macro-morphological and anatomical features of the plant collected from 4 locations (Akoko, Eruwa, Bazza and Ile-Ife) across the Nigeria and to determine the effect of environmental factors on its anatomy. Leaf epidermal peel of the 4 samples, leaf and stem Transverse Sections (T.S) and stem Tangential Longitudinal Section (T.L.S) and Radial Longitudinal Section (R.L.S) as well as stem fibres were prepared and studied. A wide range of similarities and differences were noted in the anatomical features of the 4 samples studied. The similarities include, but not limited to stomata being anomocytic, epidermis hypostomatic, cuticle single-layered and striated, vascular bundles conjointed collateral, epidermis undulating, stem rays uniserrate and procumbent, stem fibres non-septate and non-storeyed. Wide range of variations are noted in stomata density and measurements, epidermal cell density, guard cell measurements, cuticle thickness, vascular bundle arrangement, shapes of parenchyma and sclerenchyma cells and many other anatomical features. The variations observed among the samples studies were attributed to the prevailing environmental factors in each collection site.Morphological and anatomical studies on Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze (Taccaceae) in Nigeri

The State of Ex-Situ Conservation in Nigeria

Ex-situ conservation is the process of protecting an endangered species of plant or animal by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location, which may be a wild area or within the care of humans. There are several methods of ex-situ conservation being practiced in various parts of the world. However, the ex-situ conservation methods used in Nigeria include botanic and zoological gardens, arboretum, genebanks and in-vitro storage, a few DNA banks and cryopreservation efforts, and there are no active pollen banks. This paper reviews the state of the ex-situ conservation sites in Nigeria in order to bridge the information gaps on the ex-situ conservation of genetic resources in Nigeria. The research institutions, Universities and relevant non-Governmental organizations involved in the conservation of genetic resources ex-situ were taken into account, while their germplasm collections were stated. The challenges faced by ex-situ germplasm conservation were discussed and the role of the Government in improving those situations was emphasized

Management of protected areas in Sahel savannah ecoregion of Nigeria under the threat of desertification

This study was conducted to assess the challenges facing 8 selected protected areas in the Sahel Savannah ecoregion and proffer solutions to these challenges in order to ensure conservation and sustainability of Nigeria’s biodiversity. Primary data were collected from randomly-selected 120 staffs using questionnaire administration from 8 Forest Reserves within Borno and Yobe states of Nigeria. A high level of encroachment of all the studied protected areas was observed, which ranged from deforestation, overgrazing, poaching to converting protected areas into farmlands. Other notable challenges include poor staffing, inadequate equipment and funding. The respondents further reported that majority of the defaulters were farmers and local people in the area, involved in such practices for their survival in the wake of harsher climate and desert encroachment in the region. This paper calls for a revision of the Government Policy on Forestry in Nigeria to allow the people own and plant forests, implementation of community based forest resources management, provision of environment and user-friendly solar powered cooking stoves and sustainable farming systems such as crop rotation, intercropping, sustainable irrigation, organic farming and agroforestry. In addition, sources of income for the locals need to be diversified, such as honey bee production

HERBS USED BY THE URHOBO PEOPLE IN DELTA STATE NIGERIA FOR THE TREATMENT OF TYPHOID FEVER

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Typhoid fever is a common disease that very many people across the globe suffer from over time. There has been little investigation into the local medicinal herbs used for the treatment of this disease. Herbal plants used in the treatment of typhoid fever by the Urhobo people in Delta State were investigated in this study. A well structured questionnaire were administered to the focus group, which comprises of traditional healer, School Teachers and people that were adjudged by the locals to be knowledgeable in the use of medicinal herbs. It was found that beside the use of orthodox medicine, herbal plants were also used for the treatment of the ailment. The survey shows that majority of the herbs used by these people to treat the disease were used in combination with other herbs. Agronomy crops form buck part of the plants used to treat the disease. It was observed during the survey that the medicament containing unripe pawpaw, unripe pineapple, grape fruit and lime were more frequently used among the people in different places of the study area. The study showed that 23 plants belonging to 19 families were frequently used than other plants by the Urhobo people of Delta state Nigeria in the treatment of typhoid fever.