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Pulverized plant materials of Eugenia aromatica (Baill) (seeds), Aristolochia ringes (Varl) (roots), Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides (Lam.) Waterman (roots) and Azadirachta indica A. Juss (stem bark) were evaluated for their insecticidal activities against the warehouse moth, Ephestia cautella (Walker) reared on cocoa beans. The materials were applied at dosage rate of 0.00% (control), 2.50%, 5.00%, 10.00% and 15.00% respectively at intervals of 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of treatment in order to access their insecticidal efficacies as protectants of cocoa against the warehouse moth, Ephestia cautella infestation. The result of the experiment revealed that all the plant materials were very effective on adult mortality. Eugenia aromatica proved to be the most effective producing 70% adult mortality at a low dosage rate of 2.50% within 48 hours post-treatment and Azadirachta indica was the least of all the four plant materials used with regards to insecticidal potency, producing 50% adult mortality within 96 hours post-treatment. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) in the mortality recorded by all the plant materials especially at higher concentrations and exposure period. The results suggest the ability of using these plant materials for cocoa protection as a safe alternative to insecticides.Keywords: Cocoa, Ephestia cautella, medicinal plants, efficacy evaluation, insecticidal.

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The anthropogenic factors which drive land use change are primarily population pressure on land (i.e. mean population per unit area) which has resulted in undue depletion and degradation of most forest land in Nigeria. Deforestation, reduction in biodiversity, depletion of stratospheric ozone, increases in greenhouse gases, and changes in sea level were among the effects causing climate change. The study investigated the impact of urbanization on Greenhouse gases emission and estimated greenhouse gases emitted in the last twenty years of deforestation using Alalubosa forest reserve in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. Greenhouse gases emission (carbon emission) for each prominent tree species at the study area were calculated using standard method to estimate carbon emission. The estimated carbon emission from the selected tree species: Tectona grandis, Cassia siamea, Pinus caribea, Gmelina arborea, Cedrela odorata, Triplochiton scleroxylon amounted to 2.09×10-4 MTCha-1 of carbon loss during this period. The emission of Greenhouse gas (GHG) like CO2 will induce climate change hence the need for the Government to enumerate carbon stock in forest trees in order to regulate Greenhouse gas (GHGs) emission and embrace reforestation programmes to restore lost economic trees.Keywords: Greenhouse gases, urbanization, prominent tree species, Alalubosa forest reserve

Biodiversity has been identified as key solution to improving food security and sustainability in the areas of food and agriculture. The global food crisis in 2008 has brought about the demand to increase food production that will feed the populations of the world which leads to utilization of other food sources other than agricultural food produce. Non-timber forest products (NTFPS) are biological materials from the ecosystem which range from plants, parts of plants, fungi, animals and animal products that are consumed either as food, condiments, spices or medicine. NTFPS have been identified to play an important role in providing primary health and nutritional needs for people living in rural areas. Their roles in ensuring food security is beyond basic consumption but is also a means of financial empowerment to people who trade in the resources and hence ability to purchase quality, safe and nutritious food at all times which is the main aim of food security.Keywords: Biodiversity, food security, non-timber food products