Int. J. Fores. Env. | Volume 01, Issue 02, 35-47 | https://doi.org/10.18801/ijfee.010220.05
Article type: Research article | Received: 27.02.20; Revised: 28.03.20; First published online: 30 May 2020.
Article type: Research article | Received: 27.02.20; Revised: 28.03.20; First published online: 30 May 2020.
Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria
Omijeh, J. E.
Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria.
✉ Corresponding author: [email protected] (Omijeh J. E.).
Dept. of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria.
✉ Corresponding author: [email protected] (Omijeh J. E.).
Abstract
Bagale forest reserve is a valuable ecological resource constituted in December, 1954. Over the years, this ecosystem has been vulnerable to various forms of anthropogenic activities which no doubt had deleterious effects on the forest structure and species composition. Evaluation of variations in species composition and forest structure in Bagale Forest Reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria was carried out among five fragments, Tudun wada (<200m), Holin (200-300m), Modire (300-400m), Lugga (400-500m) and Wurodole (>500m) above sea level, each with three quadrats measuring 100m by 100m which were randomly sampled along altitudinal gradients using a GPS. Microsoft Excel software was used in data computations. 312 individuals were inventoried, taxonomically classified and grouped into 45 trees out of which Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea kerstingii, Terminalia glaucescens, Afzelia africana, Tamarindus indica, Annona senegalensis, Detarium microcarpum and Daniella oliverii had Importance value indices of 9.5, 8.6, 9.0, 6.0, 5.1, 5.3, 4.6 and 4.8 respectively. Growth parameters varied among the fragments on the altitude. maximum and minimum heights (m) of (21.3, 23.0, 22.1, 21.0, 23.2), (4.8, 8.9, 5.7, 4.3, 5.1), were recorded in Tudun wada (<200m), Holin (200-300m), Modire (300-400m), Lugga (400-500m) and Wurodole (>500m) above sea level respectively. Variations in tree species composition and growth parameters could be attributed to the magnitude of anthropogenic activities especially at the lower altitudes probably due to accessibility. Conservation efforts should be intensified through capacity building and extension activities to preserve the trees and forestall extinction.
Key Words: Bagale forest reserve, Growth Parameters, Altitude, Gradient, Variations and Fragment
Bagale forest reserve is a valuable ecological resource constituted in December, 1954. Over the years, this ecosystem has been vulnerable to various forms of anthropogenic activities which no doubt had deleterious effects on the forest structure and species composition. Evaluation of variations in species composition and forest structure in Bagale Forest Reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria was carried out among five fragments, Tudun wada (<200m), Holin (200-300m), Modire (300-400m), Lugga (400-500m) and Wurodole (>500m) above sea level, each with three quadrats measuring 100m by 100m which were randomly sampled along altitudinal gradients using a GPS. Microsoft Excel software was used in data computations. 312 individuals were inventoried, taxonomically classified and grouped into 45 trees out of which Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea kerstingii, Terminalia glaucescens, Afzelia africana, Tamarindus indica, Annona senegalensis, Detarium microcarpum and Daniella oliverii had Importance value indices of 9.5, 8.6, 9.0, 6.0, 5.1, 5.3, 4.6 and 4.8 respectively. Growth parameters varied among the fragments on the altitude. maximum and minimum heights (m) of (21.3, 23.0, 22.1, 21.0, 23.2), (4.8, 8.9, 5.7, 4.3, 5.1), were recorded in Tudun wada (<200m), Holin (200-300m), Modire (300-400m), Lugga (400-500m) and Wurodole (>500m) above sea level respectively. Variations in tree species composition and growth parameters could be attributed to the magnitude of anthropogenic activities especially at the lower altitudes probably due to accessibility. Conservation efforts should be intensified through capacity building and extension activities to preserve the trees and forestall extinction.
Key Words: Bagale forest reserve, Growth Parameters, Altitude, Gradient, Variations and Fragment
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MLA
Omijeh, J. E. “Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria.” International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment 01(02) (2020): 35-47.
APA
Omijeh, J. E. (2020). Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria. International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment, 01(02), 35-47.
Chicago
Omijeh, J. E. “Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria.” International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment 01(02) (2020): 35-47.
Harvard
Omijeh, J. E. 2020. Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria. International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment, 01(02), pp. 35-47.
Vancouver
Omijeh, J. E. Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria. 2020 May 01(02): 35-47.
Omijeh, J. E. “Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria.” International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment 01(02) (2020): 35-47.
APA
Omijeh, J. E. (2020). Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria. International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment, 01(02), 35-47.
Chicago
Omijeh, J. E. “Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria.” International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment 01(02) (2020): 35-47.
Harvard
Omijeh, J. E. 2020. Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria. International Journal of Forestry, Ecology and Environment, 01(02), pp. 35-47.
Vancouver
Omijeh, J. E. Variations in species composition and forest structure among fragments along altitudinal gradients of Bagale forest reserve, Adamawa state, Nigeria. 2020 May 01(02): 35-47.
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