Effect of Socio-economic Activities on Tree Species and Conservation Trend in Eco-zones of Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out with the aim to assess the effect of socio-economic activities on tree species and conservation trend Ecological zones of Taraba State, Nigeria. Stratified and simple random sampling designs were used to distribute 270 copies of structured questionnaire to the people. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that 64% of respondents were not participating in conservation of tree species due to poor infrastructural facilities and poverty in the study area. The majority of the people were involved in various forms of deforestation (farming 46%, fuel wood gathering 22% and settlement 9%). These practices had greatly affected tree species diversity and abundance in the study area; thereby increasing environmental problems such as flooding and soil erosion (16%). Most of the economic tree species (19) were decreasing in availability with Rauvolfia mitoria and Sterculia setigera endangered. The major factor responsible for tree species decline was anthropogenic activities (67%). Majority of the people were willing to support trees conservation. Thus, there is the need for further research to update the current list of conserved species on national red list species data bases. Also, Government stakeholders should provide more awareness on environmental education and alternative domestic energy in order to minimize indiscriminate felling of trees and over exploitation to prevent extinction of these economic tree species in the study area.