Religion as an effective tool in forestry practices, wildlife management and environmental sustainability in Kogi State, Nigeria

This paper examined religion as an effective tool in forestry practices, wildlife management and environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The roles of forestry and wildlife management in environmental sustainability are very imperative. This study was carried out in Kogi State, Nigeria. Data were obtained from Seven (7) randomly selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) within Kogi State. Structured questionnaire, direct field observation, and personal interview were used to collect information from indigenous people within the Study Area. Structured questionnaire was administered on Thirty (30) randomly selected respondents from each of the LGAs making a total number of Two hundred and Ten (210) respondents. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis such as table and graph; and parametric statistics, respectively. The results showed that there were Thirty-Nine (39) sacred forests, Twenty-Five (25) burial ground forests, and Seven (7) plantation forests in the Study Area. The results also showed that One-Hundred and Sixty-three (163) out of Two-Hundred and Ten (210) respondents are of the view that religion can be used to prevent deforestation, wildlife destruction, and environmental degradation. The inferential analysis using student’s t-test and ANOVA shows significant differences which implies that most of the respondents accept religion as an effective tool to reduce forest and wildlife destruction, and also that the sacred forests are the most preserved forests in the Study Area. Therefore, involvement of all stakeholders, religious leaders and their followers in sustainable forest/wildlife management and environment sustainability will go a long way to reduce deforestation, desertification, and extinction of some trees/shrubs/wild plants, wild animals, and environmental degradation.Keywords: Environment, Forestry, Religion, Sustainability, and Wildlif

Comparative analysis of density, diversity and similarity of forest tree species in three selected states of northern Nigeria

This study compared forest tree density, species diversity, and similarity in some selected States of northern Nigeria. Fifteen percent intensity of the survey was carried out on 150 ha, 50ha in each of the States for the studies. A total number of two hundred and forty-nine Quadrants of 30m x 30m, (83 Quadrates in each of the States under study) were randomly distributed within the plot of 10,000m²/ha. Number of species, corresponding number of individuals, and diameter of individuals found in the Quadrates were taken. Basal Area, Frequency, Relative Frequency, Relative Density, Relative Dominance, and Importance Value Index (IVI) were analyzed. Shannon-Wiener diversity Index, Species Evenness, Species Richness, Index of Dominance, Index of Similarity, and Index of Dissimilarity analysis were carried out. ANOVA was used to evaluate the differences in the stand densities. The results revealed that 47 species, 17 Families, 13 Orders, and 1 Kingdom were encountered in the Study area. Adansonia digitata had the highest value of BA; Relative Dominance; and IVI. Relative Density ranged from 1.09 to 7.14. The result of Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index ranged from -68.31 to -42.33; Species Richness ranged from 8.30 to 13.49; Evenness Index ranged from -48.86 to -26.08; Index of Dominance ranged from 294.11 to575.47. Index of Similarity ranged from 0.60 to 0.86. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between the tree densities in the Study Area. Evaluating tree density patterns and tree species diversity is important for the forest managers to understand the complexity and resources of forests