http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/21 Renewable Natural Resources Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:00:19 GMT 2026-04-18T09:00:19Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2421 ABOVEGROUND TREE BIOMASS AND LAND USE LAND COVER CHANGE IN BURU COMMUNITY FOREST, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA ABWAGE, Williams Danladi Remote Sensing (RS) techniques are widely used to estimate Aboveground Tree Biomass (ATB) and for Land Use Land Cover (LULC) classification. Information on ATB and land use changes is essential for development of management strategies for forest ecosystems. Outputs from biomass assessment and LULC classification are constrained by the quality and time of remotely sensed data acquisition. In Nigeria, there is limited information on suitable months for RS data acquisition for estimating ATB and LULC. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the suitable month for RS data acquisition for ATB estimation and LULC classification in Buru Community Forest (BCF), Taraba State, Nigeria. Landsat imageries of BCF for April, July and December in 1988, 2000, 2008 and 2018 were obtained, based on availability. Twenty (50 m x 50 m) plots were demarcated in BCF and their coordinates were obtained. In each plot, trees with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH, cm) ≥ 5.0 were enumerated and wood core samples obtained. Landsat imageries were classified into LULC. The LULC Changes (LULCC, %) were estimated and projected from 2018 to 2048 using standard methods. Probability (%) of the classified LULCC to remain unchanged from 2018 till 2048 was determined. The DBH and Total Height (TH, m) of trees were measured, while Wood Density (WD, g/cm3), stem volume (m3) and ATB (t/ha) were calculated following standard procedures. Spectral bands of imageries from each month were extracted and used to estimate RS-ATB (t/ha). Suitable month for RS-ATB estimation was selected using highest adjusted coefficient of determination (R_adj^2), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The ATB was compared with RS-ATB for 2018 following standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, T-test and linear regression at α0.05. Six LULC were identified: Less Disturbed Forest (LDF), Disturbed Forest (DF), Farmland, Water Body (WB), Bare Land (BL) and Built-up Area (BA). The LULCC was highest and least in DF (68.70%) and BA (5.13%), respectively. Projected LULCC were: 51.99 (LDF), 31.08 (DF), 12.28 (farmland), 1.65 (WB), 2.58 (BL), and 0.43 (BA). Probability matrix varied from 9.50% (BA) to 69.90% (DF). This suggested that there was a high probability for DF to remain unchanged by 2048. Tree DBH, TH and WD were: 22.56±0.35, 12.86±0.19 and 0.47±0.01, respectively. Stem volume and ATB were 414.66±12.75 and 281.30±0.33, respectively. The highest RS-ATB were 271.66 (1988), 196.60 (2000), 174.50 (2008) and 152.80 (2018) for July (RMSE=444.12, R2adj=94.94%, AIC=246.59, and BIC=21.02), while the least were 148.70 (1988), 146.89 (2000), 122.84 (2008) and 152.60 (2018) for April (RMSE=522.31, R2adj=93.00, AIC=253.08, and BIC=21.34). Estimated ATB (1923.60±101.78) did not differ significantly (t=0.89) from RS-ATB (1910.00±65.67). This implied that RS technique was suitable for aboveground tree biomass estimation in BCF. Imageries from the month of July were the most suitable remotely sensed data for estimation of aboveground tree biomass in Buru Community Forest, Taraba State, Nigeria. Remote sensing techniques sufficiently predicted aboveground tree biomass and provided accurate land use land cover classification for the forest. Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2421 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2296 MORPHO-MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF BALANITES AEGYPTIACA (L.) DELILE IN THE SAHELIAN ZONE OF NIGERIA WAKAWA, Lucky Dartsa Balanites aegyptiaca (BURKAN) is a wild fruit tree of high ethnomedicinal importance in the Sahelian zone of Nigeria for treating ailments like typhoid and malaria. The wild populations of the species are threatened by overexploitation and habitat loss. Variation in plant leaf, fruit morphology, genetic diversity, and physico-chemical properties from different locations which are essential for superior trait selection and vital to developing strategies for its domestication and conservation, is limited in Nigeria. This study was therefore conducted to determine the fruit and leaf morphology, physico-chemical and molecular characteristics of Balanites aegyptiaca in the Sahelian zone of Nigeria. Eight locations in five states: Baure and Mashi (Katsina), Buratai (Borno), Dumsai and Gashua (Yobe), Gamawa (Bauchi), Guri and Kirikasama (Jigawa) were purposively selected, based on the availability of Balanites aegyptiaca trees. Ten mature trees were randomly selected from each location. Thirty ripe fruits and leaves were randomly collected from each tree. Fruit Length (FL, cm), Fruit Weight (FW, g), Fruit Thickness (FT, cm), and Pulp Weight (PW, g) were determined. Leaf morphology: Leaf Length (LL, cm), Leaf Width (LW, cm), and Leaf Thickness (LT, cm) were measured. Oil was extracted from the fruit kernels obtained from each location using soxhlet extraction method. Physico-chemical properties of extracted oil: refractive index, viscosity (cP), acid, and iodine values (mgKOH/g) were analysed. Genetic characteristics of selected trees were determined using chloroplast gene sequences of matK region. Nucleotide diversity (Pi), Parsimony informatics sites (Ps), Polymorphic sites (S), and average number of nucleotide difference (k) were determined following standard procedures. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis, and ANOVA at α0.05. The FL varied significantly from 2.45±0.31 (Dumsai) to 3.08±0.26 (Kirikasama), while FW ranged from 1.77±0.19 (Gashua) to 2.13±0.16 (Baure). Baure had the highest FT (1.84±0.39), while Guri had the least, (1.41±0.15). The PW significantly decreased from 4.44±1.87 (Gamawa) to 2.18±1.33 (Buratai). The LL, LW, and LT significantly increased from 0.41±0.05 (Dumsai) to 0.62±0.35 (Baure); 0.21±0.13 (Buratai) to 0.44±0.19 (Baure); and 0.41±0.05 (Dumsai) to 0.62±0.35 (Baure), respectively. This supported the feasibility of location as a criterion for selection in trait improvement. Refractive index and viscosity increased from 1.36±0.15 (Mashi) to 1.48±0.06 (Gamawa) and 41.33±2.08 (Gashua) to 48.67±2.52 (Buratai), respectively. Acid and iodine values varied significantly from 1.36±0.07 (Dumsai) to 2.11±0.07 (Baure) and 67.07±1.53 (Gamawa) to 85.33±2.52 (Baure), respectively. The Pi and Ps varied from 0.002 (Dumsai) to 0.264 (Mashi) and 0.00 (Dumsai) to 2.00 (Mashi), respectively. The S and k ranged from 3.0 (Dumsai) to 302.00 (Mashi) and 2.00 (Dumsai) to 151.70 (Mashi), respectively. The high genetic diversity in Mashi signified germplasm potential for species improvement. Species population in Baure and Mashi formed a distinct cluster with the highest bootstrap value (100), while the other populations formed a single cluster with bootstrap value of 4. The genetically diverse population in Mashi is a potential source for superior germplasm required for the domestication and improvement of Balanites aegyptiaca and could play vital roles in germplasm collection. Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2296 2023-06-13T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1852 PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM CORRIDOR OF EKITI STATE, NIGERIA AYODELE, Olubunmi Modupe Esther Ecotourism is a major source of revenue and provides additional income for supporting livelihoods in many countries. Understanding local communities‘ perceptions and tourists‘ attitudes are essential for the growth, sustainable management and the development of the ecotourism industry. In Nigeria, negative perceptions and low patronage have been reported as constraints to the expansion of ecotourism sector. However, information on local communities‘ and tourists‘ perceptions of Ecotourism Development (ED) along the tourism corridor of Ekiti State are currently limited. Therefore, perceptions of host communities and ecotourists towards ED in Ekiti State, Nigeria, were investigated. Three communities with ecotourism sites in Ekiti state: Ikogosi: Ikogosi Warm Spring (IWS), Ipole-Iloro: Arinta Waterfall (AW) and Efon Alaaye (EA): River Ooni (RO); were purposively selected, based on unique natural features. Proportionate to size sampling techniques was used to select 300 residents (Ikogosi-100, Ipole-Iloro-70 and EA-130) and 100 Business Owners (BO): Ikogosi-30, Ipole-Iloro-20 and EA-50. Also, accidental sampling technique was used to select 180 ecotourists (IWS-100, AW-45 and RO-35) that visited the ecotourism sites from 2013 to 2015.Three sets of structured questionnaires were administered on each of the three categories of respondents. Using standard methods, fauna species in the ecotourism sites were identified. The perception of residents, BO and ecotourists on ED Facilities (EDF): such as roads, hotels, electricity and internet service; ecotourist-community relationship and ecotourism benefits to BO were assessed. Variables influencing willingness to pay for ED and benefits accruable to BOs were determined. Relative abundance was calculated. Data generated were analysed using simple percentage, multiple linear and binary logistic regressions at α0.05. Residents (Ikogosi: 55.0%, Ipole-Iloro: 64.3%, and EA: 65.4%) and BO (Ikogosi: 96.7%, IpoleIloro: 90.0% and EA: 68.0%) believed that EDF improved their living conditions. Ecotourists (IWS: 60.2%, AW: 88.9% and RO: 2.8%) perceived improvements in road conditions will enhance patronage. Ecotourists, except in RO (28.6%), (IWS: 54.1%);(AW: 66.7%) perceived that electricity and internet services were adequate, Most ecotourists (IWS: 72.4%, AW: 97.8% and RO: 91.4%) and residents (Ikogosi: 87.5%, Ipole-Iloro: 100.0% and EA: 100.0%) discerned that a cordial ecotourist-community relationship existed. Most BO (Ikogosi: 63.3%, Ipole-Iloro: 60.0% and EA: 48.0%) recognize increased benefits from ecotourism activities through improvement of sales.Age (ß=1.18), sex (ß=1.95) and educational status (ß=4.34) significantly influenced the amount ecotourists willing to pay. Benefits accruable to BO were significantly dependent on age (ß=3.05), sex (ß=1.51), educational status (ß=1.74) and monthly income (ß=2.19). There were 30 fauna species: IWS-24, AW-25 and RO-1, belonging to 22 families across the three sites. Family Scuridae had the highest occurrence in IWS (20%), AW (17%) and RO (100%), respectively. Perception of host communities and business owners encouraged ecotourism and improved road conditions will enhance patronage within the tourism corridor. Age, gender and educational status of tourists are important factors that affect patronage of ecotourism along the tourism corridor of Ekiti State, Nigeria. Tue, 01 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1852 2022-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1792 BIOINCISION OF Gmelina arborea Roxb. HEARTWOOD FOR PERMEABILITY IMPROVEMENT TO CHEMICAL TREATMENT ADENAIYA, Adewunmi Omobolaji Gmelina arborea is a versatile but moderately refractory timber species whose heartwood is impermeable to chemical treatment due to tyloses deposition which occlude its vessels. This makes its utilisation unsustainable for a broad range of technical applications. Bioincision is an emerging procedure capable of improving the permeability of wood to fluid treatment, but information on its suitability in improving the permeability of Gmelina arborea heartwood is limited. Therefore, the effect of bioincision on permeability, anatomical and mechanical properties of Gmelina arborea heartwood was investigated. Five 34-year-old Gmelina arborea trees were harvested at the University of Ibadan plantation. A bolt of 300 cm was obtained from the base of each tree. Heartwood of each bolt was extracted and converted into standard dimensions. Wood samples (n=100) were bioincised with two white-rot fungi: Inonotus dryophilus (ID, 999) and Ganoderma adspersum (GA, CBS109416) for 9 weeks, while unincised samples (n=50) served as control. Ten samples (20 mm x 20 mm x 60 mm) each from bioincised and unincised treatments were pressure-impregnated for 90 minutes with Tanalith (5.5% concentration) for permeability tests. Thereafter, samples from bioincised and unincised (n=30) were pressure-treated with liquid dye and depth of penetration was evaluated. Ten samples (10 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm) each were obtained from bioincised treatments to assess effect of fungi on wood anatomy. Tanalith absorption (Kg/m3) and retention (Kg/m3) were calculated. Axial Penetration Depth (APD, mm); Axial Penetration Area (APA, %); Tangential Penetration Depth (TPD, mm); Radial Penetration Depth (RPD, mm); Lateral Penetration Area (LPA, %) were measured. Modulus of Elasticity (MOE, MPa); Modulus of Rupture (MOR, MPa); Maximum Compressive Strength (MCS//, N/mm2); Janka Hardness (JH, N) of unincised and bioincised samples were determined using standard methods. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics and ANOVA at α0.05. Unincised samples had least absorption (112.0±8.5) and retention (6.2±0.5), while GA incised samples had highest (135.0±16.6 and 7.4±0.9), respectively. The APD significantly varied from 7.0±1.7 (unincised samples) to 31.2±4.1 (GA incised samples), implying higher degradation of vessel tyloses by GA. The APA increased from 0.07±0.03 (unincised samples) to 3.1±1.9 (ID incised samples). The TPD ranged from 0.4±0.2 (unincised samples) to 3.0±2.0 (GA incised samples), indicating increased lateral penetration. The RPD were 0.1±0.1 and 4.8±2.2 in unincised and GA incised samples, respectively. The LPA varied significantly from 0.001±0.001 (unincised samples) to 17.0±9.4 (GA incised samples). Both fungi induced delamellation of axial parenchyma cells and degraded tyloses within the wood vessels. Fungal hyphae of GA and ID were predominantly found in vessels and ray parenchyma cells. The MOE ranged from 7305.0±298.1 (GA incised) to 7771.1±256.0 (unincised samples). The MOR varied significantly from 70.8±6.1 to 77.9±3.9 in GA incised samples and unincised samples, respectively. The MCS// were 42.2±1.8 and 43.1±1.4 in GA incised samples and unincised samples, respectively. The JH increased from 2241.0±115.5 (unincised samples) to 2593.1±208.7 (GA incised samples). Bioincising Gmelina arborea heartwood with Ganoderma adspersum effectively dissolved occlusions within the vessels. Wood bioincision improved permeability, with negligible effects on the mechanical properties. Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1792 2021-10-01T00:00:00Z