Papers by Akinlolu S Y L V E S T E R Akinbowale
The roles of protected areas in biodiversity conservation were assessed in this study. This was a... more The roles of protected areas in biodiversity conservation were assessed in this study. This was achieved by assessing tree species diversity and volume yield of three protected areas in Akure Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria. Two sampling plots of 50 m × 50 m were laid in each of the sites using systematic line transect. Trees with DBH >10cm were identified in each plot, their frequency of occurrence were ascertained and categorized into families. All tree growth variables were measured in each of the study sites. The results obtained from this study indicated that the three selected protected areas within the forest reserve are rich in trees species. A total of 264 stems ha were observed in the SNR, 198 stems ha were recorded in the Buffer zone and Enrichment Planting had 72 stems ha. The number of tree species observed in SNR, Buffer Zone, Enrichment Planting followed the order of 37> 31 >25. Shannon Weiner index of 2.97, 3.10 and 3.00 were obtained in the buffer zone,...
Asian Journal of Forestry, 2021
This research aimed to assess the degradation level of mangrove forests and to develop strategy t... more This research aimed to assess the degradation level of mangrove forests and to develop strategy to reduce the degradation level. The overall research duration was 1 year, focusing on identification of mangrove forests degradation level, exploration of mangrove vegetation structure and preparation for mangrove degradation reduction strategy. The research was located in Tabongo Village, Dulupi Sub-district, Boalemo District, Gorontalo Province. The method used in the research was an explorative survey, while the data analysis was done with quantitative descriptive analysis. The collecting method used was point quarter centered meter (PQCM) method. The degradation level of mangrove forest was analyzed by standard criteria of mangrove destruction according to Ministerial Decree of State Minister for The Environment (Kepmen. LH) No. 201 in 2004. Results showed that there are 4 species of mangrove plants in Tabongo Village, Dulupi Sub-district namely Rhizophora apiculata Blume, Rhizophora mucronata Lamk., Ceriops tagal (Perr) C.B.Rob, and Bruguiera which included in the Rhizophoraceae family. Rhizophora apiculata had the highest IVI value at the stage of tree and sapling, while Rhizophora mucronata Lamk had the highest IVI value at the stage of seedling. Tabongo mangrove area was a scrub or dwarf forest type, generally. This type was classified as a typical mangrove found in low edges. The mangrove condition in the coastal area of Tabongo Village, Boalemo, was categorized as broken (TNS1 = 210). While based on assessment of criticality level of mangrove land based on the way Terrestris formula, was categorized as not broken (TNS2= 330). The reduction strategy that could be implemented to recover the quality of mangrove areas includes (i) the assessment of the importance of the mangrove areas with regard to their ecological and economic value, (ii) quality improvement of mangrove habitat, (iii) educational approach by making the mangrove areas as learning media and source, and (iv) empowerment of people living around the mangrove areas.
Deforestation and degradation greatly affect the population of soil microbes and reduces the qual... more Deforestation and degradation greatly affect the population of soil microbes and reduces the quality of the soil. This study was carried out to assess the physiochemical and microbial properties of soil of a disturbed forest in Ondo state, Nigeria. Data collection took place in Osse River Park. Two parallel line transects of 200 m apart were laid and two equal sample plots (50 m × 50 m) were laid in alternate direction of each transect. The sample plots laid in the disturbed forest was used for soil collection. Soil samples were collected at three depths (0-15 cm, 15-30 cm and 30-45 cm) along the diagonal for each of the sample plot with the aid of soil auger. The standard procedure for determining the total number of soil microbes was adopted for bacteria and fungi culturing. The results obtained in this study revealed that sand content, organic matter, organic carbon, calcium, phosphorous and nitrogen reduces significantly as the depth increases. Mean values for sand ranged from 66.6-77.1 and the silt content ranged from 5.94 to 8.2. Clay, silt and magnesium were higher in depth 30-45 cm than any other depths. At different depth, significant difference was observed in the organic matter. Soil pH, magnesium, potassium, calcium and sodium were not significantly different within the soil depths. Irrespective of the depth, soil pH ranged from 5.69-6.66 which shows that the soil is slightly acidic. A total number of eight fungi and nine bacteria were isolated in the study area. Negative and positive correlations were found in the soil properties when the level of relationship was tested. This study concluded that deforestation affects soil quality and microbial diversity. Degraded forests should be protected and should be allowed to recuperate and the remaining forests should be protected from further anthropogenic activities.
Tropical Plant Research, Dec 31, 2018
This study was conducted to assess soil nutrient changes following application of mulch materials... more This study was conducted to assess soil nutrient changes following application of mulch materials from Acacia crassicarpa, Albizia zygia, and Albizia adianthifolia. Complete Randomized Design was used for experimental layout. The mulch materials constituted the treatments. The experimental plot (3 m × 4 m) was partitioned into 12 micro-plots of 1 m × 1 m in dimension. Adjacent micro-plots were separated from each other by a buffer 0.5 m wide. Each treatment including a control (without mulch) was replicated three times and treatments were randomly allocated to the micro-plots. Ambient and soil temperatures were measured daily for six weeks following treatment application. Soil samples were collected from soil depth of 0 to 15 cm after six weeks of mulch applications in both mulched and control plots and analyzed for pH, % of Organic matter, % of Nitrogen (N), available Phosphorus and exchangeable cations. The study revealed that the mean levels of the various nutrients were not significantly different. The analysis showed that the application of the various mulch materials tends to reduce the temperature in hot weather condition and also temperature had a very important role to play in the decomposition process. In low-temperature condition decomposition tends to be slow while in high-temperature decomposition becomes fast.
Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management
Commercial charcoal production is gradually becoming one of the major sources of sustenance and c... more Commercial charcoal production is gradually becoming one of the major sources of sustenance and currently plays a major role in promoting entrepreneurial development in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. The study was carried out to assess charcoal production and its impact on deforestation and environment in the study area. Data for the study were generated from a structured questionnaire administered to charcoal producers in the study area. Data obtained revealed that majority (83%) were male with 56% within the age class of 21-40, majority (67%) were married and about (51%) attained primary education. Majority of the producers (82%) used traditional earth mound kiln method for charcoal production and about 56% of the producers obtained their raw material from free area. Most preferred tree species for charcoal production was Prosopis africana and accounted for 61%. Loss of biodiversity ranked 1st as regards impact of charcoal production on deforestation and environment i...
This study assessed the rate of timber exploitation in free forest areas in Ondo State, Nigeria. ... more This study assessed the rate of timber exploitation in free forest areas in Ondo State, Nigeria. Secondary data on the number of logs and volumes of legally felled trees in Akure, Ore, and Okitipupa (administrative zones) was obtained from the Ondo State Department of Forestry. Results showed that a total of 49,063 logs with a volume of 118,026.4 m 3 were exploited from all the study sites. Tree species with a low number of harvested logs were Sterculia oblonga Mast (2 logs), Cola nitida (2 logs), Nauclea orientalis (L.) (3 logs), Acacia Senegalensis (5 logs), and Diospyros spp. (25 logs). Other species (tree species with unknown scientific names as of the time of harvest) had the highest number of harvested logs with 7,605 logs. Tree species with harvested volumes >1000 m 3 were Entadrophragma angolense, Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague), Erythropholeum spp., and Fagara zanthoxyloides with 2,620.5, 1,601.9, 2,093.1 and 2,242 m³ respectively. Generally, the lowest and highest number of logs (2,813 and 7,306) were removed in September and January. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the volume of trees harvested in January and February. However, the volume of logs harvested in March, April, July, and October was significantly different (p < 0.05) from each other. Almost all indigenous tree species of high economic values are present in this study. However, these tree species are becoming threatened and are on the brink of extinction. Conservative measures should therefore be set up for these tree species to ensure their availability.
AJRF, 2022
This study was carried out to assess diversity, biomass and carbon storage potential of some tree... more This study was carried out to assess diversity, biomass and carbon storage potential of some tree species in a Nigerian forest. All trees with Dbh >10cm were enumerated. Tree growth variables, namely the Diameter at the base (Db), Diameter at breast height (Dbh), Diameter at the middle (Dm), Diameter at the top (Dt) and height, were measured for basal area and volume estimation and their frequency of occurrence was ascertained for tree diversity assessment. Fifty-six (56) trees distributed among 21 species and 11 families were enumerated in this study area. Some of these species were Acacia ataxacantha, Blighia sapida, Alstonia bonnie, Ceiba pentandra, Celtis zenkeri, Khaya ivorensis, etc. Funtumia elastica had the highest frequency of occurrence (11 stems) with a Relative Density of 19.64%. Therefore, it could be regarded as the most abundant tree species in the forest. Shannon Wiener index of 2.62 was recorded for this study with an evenness value of 0.86. Khaya senegalensis stored the highest carbon of 4.86 tonnes, and total Above Ground Biomass (ABG) of 53.64 g/m 2 , equivalent to 26.82 tonnes of Carbon was obtained for all the tree Original Research Article
Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry , 2020
This study focused on the assessment of tree species diversity and abundance at The Federal Unive... more This study focused on the assessment of tree species diversity and abundance at The Federal University of Technology, Akure Tropical Forest Obanla. The research was carried out from May, 2019 to September, 2019. Complete enumeration sampling was adopted for the data collection and all trees with diameter at breast height (Dbh) above 0.1 m were identified and measured. Other tree growth variables, such as diameter at the base (db), diameter at the middle (dm), diameter at the top (dt) and the total height were all measured for volume estimation. Ricinodendron heudelotii Hd the highest number of stems (13), so it was the dominant tree species.The result shows that mean tree volume ranges from a minimum of 0.26 m 3 for Olalaceae family, to a maximum of 77.70 m 3 for Euphorbiaceae family. Ceiba pentandra of Malvaceae family had the highest mean volume (14.62 m 2) while the lowest was recorded for both Khaya senegalensis and Newbouldia laevis with a volume of 0.13 m 2. The family of Euphorbiaceae was regarded as the dominant family in the natural forest with 26 tree species which is the highest in this study and with the highest volume (77.70 m 2). Shannon Wiener diversity index and species equitability index according to Pielou's of 3.24 Original Research Article Olawoyin et al.; AJRAF, 5(4): 11-19, 2020; Article no.AJRAF.56230 12 and 0.92 were respectively obtained for the study area. This study revealed the efficacy of an undisturbed natural forest in in situ conservation. Active regeneration can be carried out for proper stocking of the forest so has to make it a potential biodiversity hotspot.
Book Reviews by Akinlolu S Y L V E S T E R Akinbowale
Land use is a major constraint to the population of insect species. Insects have provided essenti... more Land use is a major constraint to the population of insect species. Insects have provided essential and irreplaceable services ranging from pollination to decomposition of large organic matters. However, these roles provided have been jettisoned as a result of human anthropogenic activities. In recent times, the conversion of existing natural forest ecosystem to other land use types has become a menace that requires urgent attention due to its effects on the population of plant and animal species. Many factors such as land-use changes, deforestation, pollution, intensive agriculture, among others have been reported to contribute to the decline in the population of insect species. As a result of changes, insects are threatened and vulnerable to extinction. Loss of key stone species also affects the function, structure and population of other species in the ecosystem. This is because of the level of interdependency between these insect species and other components of natural forest ecosystem. Such losses lead to the decline in ecosystem goods and services which human depends on for sustenance. Apart from decline in all levels of biodiversity, land use also causes climate change and environmental pollution which in turns affects the population of insect species. However, protection of area of high biodiversity hotspots should be encouraged by resources managers. Also natural forest that has been disturbed should be left alone in order to recuperate and get back to its original state.
Uploads
Papers by Akinlolu S Y L V E S T E R Akinbowale
Book Reviews by Akinlolu S Y L V E S T E R Akinbowale