Effects of Farming Activities on the Population of Three Sympatric Species of Guenons in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine the effects of farming activities on the population of three sympatric species of guenons in Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary (AMWS), Cross River State, Nigeria. Line transect method was adapted to determine the status and population density of guenons, while plant species composition of the study was determined using the Total Enumeration Count Method of vegetation sampling. Snowball sampling technique was used to administer hundred (100) semi structured questionnaire representing five (5) percent sampling intensity of inhabitants population for collection of information on farming indices. Two censuses were carried out in each of the ten (10) transects (2.0 km length, 0.02 km width) and at interval of 1.0 km randomly selected. Direct method of animal sighting was employed. The three species of guenon monkeys sighted had low mean population densities of 4 / km2. This implied that the population of guenons in the study area was affected, while the vegetation assessment revealed the study area to compose mainly of tropical plants species, though seriously modified through farming activities. More than seventy (70) percent of the respondents were farmers predominantly youths (25 – 35 years) who farm within the sanctuary. This age was considered a threat to wildlife conservation in the study area due to their energetic and restive characteristics. It was therefore recommended that alternative form of employment be provided to the youths to check further encroachment through farming activities.