Classification of ecosystem services in Omo Biosphere Reserve and the provisional services

This review examined ecosystem services in Omo Biosphere Reserve, Nigeria. The review explored the identified provisional services from the forest resources in this rich ecosystem. The identified forest resources in Omo Biosphere Reserve were listed according to their provisional benefits. This includes 72 different species as sources of food; River Omo serve as the major source of freshwater and supplying other streams within the ecosystem; 8 fiber plant sources and 287 forest plants used as bio-chemicals for medicines and chemical used in soaps making and phytochemicals products. It was concluded and recommended that further studies should be carried out on how to effectively harness the indigenous knowledge behind the utilization of these resources by rural populace and look at ways of introducing some of these products into urban ecosystem and also promote the use of these organic products to help mitigate food insecurity and pollution of the environment from inorganic products. Keywords: Ecosystem Services, Provisioning Services, Omo Biosphere Reserv

Ecological and Structural Characteristics of Riparian Forest in Omo Biosphere Reserve

An investigation on the structural characteristics of the riparian forest in Omo Biosphere Reserve was carried out. The structure was analyzed through diameter class distribution, basal area and breast height. Riparian forest showed a major characteristic in the physiognomy of forests along major river, streams and Upland vegetation and the Core, Buffer and Transition zones that is highly variable in the diameter class distribution (reserve J type), Mean basal area per hectare for major river is 294,089.30/cm2/ ha, Stream 613.027/cm2/ha, and Upland 205,648 cm3/ha. Mean basal area for core is 507,399.50 cm2/ha, buffer had 340,699 cm2/ha and transition 264,656 cm2/ha. While mean volume per hectare for core is 7955.2 m3/ha, buffer 7260 m3/ha and Transition 6254.4 m3/ha. Maximum dbh of 246 cm was obtained in the core species. Many stands of riparian forests are facing various levels of structural and floristic simplification, which include fundamental transformations in vegetation physiognomy from dense stands to riparian scrub or bare land

Geo-behavioural predictors of diagnosed hypertension in Igbo Ora Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

\ua9 The Author(s) 2025.Diagnosed hypertension stands out as a prominent global cause of mortality, prompting recent efforts to understand not only treatment options but also determinants across diverse age and occupational groups. However, the literature on the impact of environmental factors on diagnosed hypertension is limited, especially in rural areas with restricted access to health infrastructure. Geographical determinants research has often focused on spatial variations across different units, potentially masking individual environmental contributions. Data on diagnosed hypertension patients and their behaviours were gathered during the ARISE project, complemented by geographical data (elevation, vegetation, road network, population density, and nighttime light exposure) from secondary sources. Spatial patterns were analyzed using the Nearest Neighbour Statistic, Ripley K Function, and Kernel Density Estimation, while Binomial logistic regression identified predictors. Diagnosed hypertension patients exhibit spatial clustering, and are mainly comprised of elderly individuals, residing closer to roads, at higher elevations, in areas with higher population distribution, and with little or no green vegetation. Socio-economic, health-related, behavioural, and environmental factors collectively drive diagnosed hypertension. Spatial clustering of diagnosed hypertension in the Igbo Ora community is localized, indicating potential spatial factors influencing its prevalence. Beyond identified behavioural and medical history factors, geographical elements like nighttime light exposure and normalized vegetation index contribute to the observed clustering. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for targeted interventions in the community

Geo-demographic and socioeconomic determinants of diagnosed hypertension among urban dwellers in Ibadan, Nigeria: a community-based study

\ua9 The Author(s) 2024. Background: The relationship between diagnosed high blood pressure (HBP) and proximity to health facilities and noise sources is poorly understood. We investigated the associations between the number of persons diagnosed with HBP at different distance corridors of noise-generating sources (churches, mosques, bus stops, and road networks), and blood pressure monitoring outlets (healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical shops) in Ibadan, Nigeria. In addition, we investigated the likelihood of being diagnosed with HBP using distance from noise-generating sources, distance to blood pressure monitoring outlets, socio-demographic and clinical status of the participants. Methods: We investigated 13,531 adults from the African Rigorous Innovative Stroke Epidemiological Surveillance (ARISES) study in Ibadan. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), the locations of healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical shops, bus stops, churches, and mosques were buffered at 100 m intervals, and coordinates of persons diagnosed with HBP were overlaid on the buffered features. The number of persons with diagnosed HBP living at every 100 m interval was estimated. Gender, occupation, marital status, educational status, type of housing, age, and income were used as predictor variables. Analysis was conducted using Spearman rank correlation and binary logistic regression at p < 0.05. Results: There was a significant inverse relationship between the number of persons diagnosed with HBP and distance from pharmaceutical shops (r=-0.818), churches (r=-0.818), mosques (r=-0.893) and major roads (r= -0.667). The odds of HBP were higher among the unemployed (AOR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11–2.24), currently married (AOR = 1.45, CI: 1.11–1.89), and previously married (1.75, CI: 1.29–2.38). The odds of diagnosed HBP increased with educational level and age group. Conclusion: Proximity to noise sources, being unemployed and educational level were associated with diagnosed HBP. Reduction in noise generation, transmission, and exposure could reduce the burden of hypertension in urban settings

Heavy metal pollution potential in soil influenced by sawmill operations at Ado-ekiti, Nigeria

Pollution potentials of heavy metals in soils around a Sawmill at Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria were evaluated. The geo-accumulation (Igeo) values were positive, less than 1.0 and within Class 1 Igeo grade indicating none to moderate pollution of the soils by the heavy metals. Chi-square analysis showed that the Igeo values were not significantly different at the various sampling distances indicating that the heavy metals were not spatially influenced in the soils. Co, Zn, Ni, Pb, Cd and Cr had positive Relative Pollution Potential (RPP) values at all sampling points with a few exceptions whereas, As and Cu had negative RPP except As (90 m, +0.93; 125 m, +0.15). The positive RPP values indicate the metals were likely introduced at the impact point while negative RPP values (As and Cu) would be from lithological sources but the Chi-square values were not significantly different. The indices did not point to serious pollution concerns.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.53(1), 29-34, 2018</jats:p

Soil and crop management practices among farmers in Kabba/Bunu local government area, Kogi state

The study examined management practices among farmers in Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi State. A two stage sampling technique was used in selecting the sample size. Structured questionnaires were used in collecting primary data from one hundred (100) sampled farmers in ten villages (Ohakiti, Odo-Ape, Olle-Bunu, Egbeda, Aiyetoro, Aiyede, Otu, Oke-Dayo, Okebukun and Agbadu) within the study area. Data Collected from the questionnaire were analyzed using percentage. The result from the study revealed that majority of the farmers are above the productivity age (53.8%) of 51 years. The main crops grown in the study area is yam and cassava. 45% of the respondents practice mixed cropping. Practices among farmers in the study area include; use of improved, varieties chemical weeding, planting of cover crop, use of inorganic fertilizer, live mulch and chemical method for control of pests. It is concluded that there is need for farmers to improve on the current practice in other to ensure optimal and profitable production.Keywords: Soil, Crops, Management, farmer