Forest Canopy Cover Assessment and Tree Benefits in Okomu National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

The functions and benefits of forest canopy cannot be over-emphasized. Hence, there is need for the assessment of forest canopy cover and tree benefits in Okomu National Park, Nigeria. Assessment of different land cover types, quantification of forest trees and the environmental services they provided and lastly, the monetary value of environmental services provided by the forest was estimated. The Okomu National Park shapefile was used to determine the ‘Define Project Area’ tool and Google Mapmaker to determine and cross reference boundary. An i-Tree Canopy software was used to analysis tree canopy coverage throughout Okomu National Park, Nigeria. This study derived eight (8) specific categories of tree canopy data which includes annual benefits based on canopy cover percentages. The categories include: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), particulate matter less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particulate matter greater than 2.5 microns and less than 10 microns (PM10*), carbon dioxide sequestered annually in trees (CO2seq) was 369,974.94T, while carbon dioxide stored in trees) CO2stor) (not an annual rate) was 9,291,459.06T. Carbon monoxide (CO) has the least amount in tonnes with 33.33T. The particulate matter category less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5) which has less quantity had more monetary value (USD523,66835) than particulate matter greater than 2.5 microns and less than 10 microns (PM10*) with monetary value of USD183,90714.