Abstract:The larval habitats of mosquitoes were investigated in Abeokuta, Nigeria in order to determine the breeding sites of the existing mosquito fauna and its possible public health implications on the residents of the City. The habitats were sampled between August 2005 and July 2006 using plastic dippers and a pipette. The habitats were grouped as ground pools/ponds, gutters/open drains, tyres, domestic containers and treeholes/ leaf axils. Ten species of mosquitoes were encountered in the fi ve habitats namely Mansonia africana, M. uniformis, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Ae. vittatus, Cx tigripes, Anopheles gambiae s.l., An. funestus and Eretmapodite clnysogaster. Ae. aegypti bred in all the habitats sampled while Cx quinquefasciatus bred in four habitats except tree holes/leaf axils. An. gambiae s.l and Ae. albopictus occurred in three habitats while other species bred only in one or two habitats. Ground pools and domestic containers recorded the highest number of species followed by gutters/open drains. Tree holes/leaf axils was the least preferred habitat with the lowest number of species occurrence. However, statistical analysis revealed non-significant difference in species occurrence in the fi ve habitats. The availability of the habitats to support the breeding of Aedes, Culex and Anopheles, which are known vectors of urban yellow fever, lymphatic fi lariasis and malaria suggest that the residents of Abeokuta City are at risk of mosquito-borne diseases. It is important that residents of the City are enlighten on the environmental factors that contribute to mosquito breeding and that the Government should institute proper sanitation measures to reduce mosquito breeding sites.

Traditional medicines using forest plants as the major source of raw materials has been the system of Medicare especially in treating guinea worm (Dracunculus medinensis LINN) infections in endemic areas of Africa such as Nigeria and Ethiopia. This system is age long and predates the advents of modern Medicare. With the problems of drug resistances and inability of poor people's access to modern Medicare, traditional medicines could still be the only source of succor. hence the relevance of this study which investigated the forest plants used in the traditional treatment of guinea worm infections (GWI) in some endemic areas of Nigeria and a cross check with the situation in Ethiopia. A total of 92 plant species were recorded representing 68 families. They were, trees (43species), shrubs (18species), herbs (24species) and climbers (7species).Majority of the species were sourced from the wild forests and fallow lands.

The indigenous uses of forest plant leaves by the enclave dwellers of Omo forest reserve (OFR) Ogun state, Nigeria were investigated to provide further information on the traditional uses of environmental resources such as the forest in healthcare delivery systems. This is in response to the recent upsurge search for alternative systems of medicare to combat infectious diseases like malaria. Well structured and pretested questionnaire were administered through interview schedules on some randomly selected enclave dwellers of OFR. The questionnaire was made to elicit some information on the species of plants, sources, plant types, form and mode of uses. Twenty (20) plant species mostly trees and shrubs whose leaves were usually extracted to effect cure during malaria attacks were recorded. They are either boiled singly or in combination with other herbs and the extracts are administered orally. The wild forests constituted the major source of these leaves and are either used in fresh or dry forms.However, what is not known is the quantities harvested and the dosage levels. The conclusion was reached that malaria fever must have been a serious health problem in the study area as reported in other African societies looking at the large number of plant species used to effect cure traditionally. Further research is therefore essential into the dosage levels as well as the active ingredients. With the fast disappearance of the African flora especially Nigerians' due largely to deforestation the conservation of these plants become essential and is recommended.

An economic valuation of the environmental service functions of forest trees in University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) permanent campus was performed using the contingent valuation method (CVM).This was to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) values from the respondents as a measure of value for the conservation of forest trees on the campus. The respondents were private individuals purposively selected from among the academic and non-academic staff members. A total of 68 respondents (45%) were willing to pay amounts of money ranging from #5 to#1000 monthly. The modal value was #100 having recorded the highest percentage of response (41%).The mean monthly WTP values ranged from #70 to #154 with corresponding aggregate values of #23450 and #51724 (1USD=#129). These amounts represented the estimated monthly monetary values of the environmental service functions of forest trees at the study site. Some socioeconomic variables such as age, monthly income, and length of service significantly influenced the WTP for urban environmental service functions as indicated by the linear equation.

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