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The distribution of medicinal and food tree species in Owerri West Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State were assessed. Data were collected using socio-economic survey and biological study. A total of 50 respondents from the study area were randomly selected and relevant information on the uses and contributions of tree species of food and medicinal importance was collected through the use of semi-structured questionnaire and Focused Group Discussion (FGD). A total of ten communities were sampled, with one community in each of the ten political wards in the LGA. Tree species of ethno-botany and food relevance were identified and enumerated in the course of field survey in the study communities. The spatial distributions of six most-frequently utilized tree species were mapped using Geographical Information System (GIS). Data were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way analysis of variance. A total of 22 tree species, belonging to16 families, known to be used for medicinal and food purposes, were identified in the ten study communities. Dacryodes edulis of the family Burseraceae was the most abundant tree species in the area having about 13% of the species encountered. In the study locations, the least-occurring species were Dialium guineensis and Garcinia kola with 0.27% each. Fabaceae and Rutaceae were the most represented families with 13.64% and 3 species each belonging to each of the two families. The six (6) mostly utilized species in the area were Dacryodes edulis, Chrysophyllum albidium, Persea americana, Psidium guajava, Mangifera indica and Moringa oleifera. The seven tree species that were abundant in the study area were Annona muricata, Citrus sinensis, Cola nitida, Dacryodes edulis, Elaeise quineensis Magifera indica and Psidium guajava with relative density (RD) of 6.29, 11.98, 12.72, 12.99, 6.16, 9.20 and 9.47, respectively. Dennettia tripetala and Persea americana were frequent species with RD values of 4.33 and 4.06, respectively. Dialium guineensis Garcinia kola and Pentaclethra macrophylla were threatened, having RD of 0.27, 0.27 and 0.47, respectively. A total of 8 tree species including: Anacardium occidentale, Azadirachta indica, Chrysophyllum albidium, Citrus aurantiifolia, Citrus lemon, Gliricidia sepium, Irvingia gaboneensis and Moringa oleifera were rare in the area with RD of 1.76, 1.49, 2.44, 2.44, 1.49, 1.69, 1.76 and 2.10, respectively. The threatened species include Dialium guineensis, Garcinia kola and Pentaclethra macrophylla with RD values of 0.27, 0.27 and 0.47, respectively. In seven of the ten communities, (i.e. Emeabiam, Eziobodo, Nekede, Ihiagwa, Okuku, Obinze, and Umuguma), Dacryodes edulis was the dominant species with 23, 35, 32, 32, 9, 10 and 14 stems, respectively while Mangifera indica predominated in Avu, Irete, and Ndegwu with 24, 14, and 11stems, respectively.Keywords: Species abundance, status, distribution, utilization, extinction

Reuse of materials from waste streams is pertinent to achieving sustainable forest production. The enormous wood residues generated at sawmill and the disposal of wood based products poses threat not only to sustenance of the forest resources but also has negative adverse effect on the environment. Limitation exists in the utilization of wood residues as raw material for panel board production in developing countries. This study examined the physical and mechanical properties of graded density fiberboards produced from varying mixture of sawdust and corrugated paper (pulp) at Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in 2019. A 2x9 factorial experiment in one way analysis of variance was used to test for significant difference between the factors (density and mixing ratio) considered. The result shows that densities of all boards produced varied with mixing proportions. The densities increased with increasing content of corrugated paper. Boards produced at 0.45 g/cm3 showed higher density (0.648 g/cm3), bending strength (MOR) (1.47 N/mm2) and less water absorption (118.69 %) than those produced at 0.65 g/cm3 having values of 0.58 g/cm3, 1.32 N/mm2 and 153.67 %  respectively. However boards produced at 0.65 g/cm3 had higher elasticity in bending (MOE) (209.19 N/mm2) and less thickness swelling (6.29 %) than those produced at 0.45 g/cm3 having values of 74.87 N/mm2 and 10.88% respectively. Panel G (20:60:20), E (30:50:20) and I (10:70:20) of sawdust: corrugated paper: urea formaldehyde respectively showed superior features in physical and mechanical properties with panel I been the best mixture. Conclusively, wood residues (sawdust and corrugated paper) are suitable raw material for fiberboard production.

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The study examined the intensity of price movement and trend analysis of selected volumes (0.013m3, 0.019m3 and 0.025m3) of Halea ciliata in urban and local lumber markets in Delta State of Nigeria. Monthly sales records of Halea ciliata species of lumber (2010-2019) were taken from sales receipt and were analyzed using econometric analysis. Results showed that prices of Halea ciliata species of lumber and the volumes considered were non-stationery in their level forms but were stationary at first difference (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05). The indices of market concentration were less than one suggesting elevated level of short run market integration. Co-integration test showed that a long run stable relation exist between prices in local and urban markets while the Error correction mechanism reflect that the extent of price movement is relatively fast. The study concluded that lumber market for Halea ciliata is integrated and operated efficiently. It was recommended that intensive forest restoration be embarked upon for continuous supply of lumber to sellers.