The Nagi Forest density and need for protection

This study analysed the types of forest, the area coverage of the forest types, tree species composition and density of the forest types in Nagi district. The study was carried out through field measurement and observation. Other forms of data are derived from documented information from the Benue State ministry of animal and forestry, topographic map of Gwer- West local government area and Rabelat Nigeria limited company. Data on the existing types of forest in Nagi district are collected into classes or categories of wild forest, reserved forest and gallery forest. Their measured spatial area is coded in tables. The observed and counted number of tree stands in the quadrant was analyzed using the poison probability distribution and quadrant analysis. The result showed that the reserved type of  forest because of its protection has the highest species diversity and density, followed by the gallery and the wild forest types. Some activities such as  farming,  lumbering and bush burning are depleting the Nagi forest density and militating against its sustainability. Recommendations are made that will mitigate the impact of forest depleting activities in the Nagi district and ensure sustainable exploitation of the forest resources

Temperature variability, intensity of wind speed and visibility during harmattan in Makurdi Town, Nigeria

The study assessed the connections between temperature variability, intensity of wind speed and their effect on visibility of Makurdi town during the harmattan season. Data on mean monthly temperature of harmattan months of November, December, January and February (2001 to 2011), Wind speed and visibility records for the same period were obtained from the Nigeria Metrological Agency Makurdi. Monthly accident records from 2009 to 2011 were acquired from the Federal Road Safety Commission to compare accident rates within and outside the harmattan period. The data for this study was analysed using tables, bar graphs and Product moment correlation. The result showed that temperature within the harmattan months has fluctuated but showed an increasing trend in all the months. The rate of temperature increase across the months showed highest rates in the month of January, followed by February, November and lastly December. A correlation of temperature and harmattan wind speed shows a weak negative relationship value of - 0.29. The result implies that the speed of harmattan wind in Makurdi is not dependent on temperature within the environment; the speed is determined by the general regional wind movement pattern. Environmental friendly practices like planting of trees, gardens and lawns, tiling of the roads and water sprinkling can help curb the effects of the harmattan dust.Keywords: Harmattan, visibility, variability, wind speed, pressure gradien