The study surveyed the edible forest insect consumed in two Local Government areas of Lagos States, Nigeria. It also identified the socioeconomic profile of the edible insect marketers, harvesting, processing and preservation techniques, seasonality, uses of insects, marketability and profitability of edible forest insect business. A total of One Hundred (100) copies of questionnaires were administered and data collected were analyzed using descriptive methods. The results were presented using bar chart, pie chart and tables. Survey results revealed that 80.61% of the respondents are married with majority falling within the age range of 25 and 35 years. Sixty-Five percent of the respondent had at least primary school education while 29.6% had no formal education. Most of the respondents (42.8%) engage in trading as their main occupation. The only commercially prevalent edible insect is the Ralphia palm beetle grub (Rhynchophorus phoenics). 50-52% of the edible insect marketers source for the insect from retailers while 30-35% source for them by catching with traps. A profit of N101(60Cent)-N500 (3.00USD) was made by 57-59% of the respondent. 60-65% of the consumers get informed about edible insect in the market and from the farm. Majority of the respondent do not consume their edible insects raw. Their processing methods range from roasting, frying and boiling. The people of this area use their edible forest insect mainly as an alternative to meat while about 20-25% uses it in treating ailment. Indications from the survey shows that since the business of edible insects requires little capital investment, time and is easy to master and a fast revenue generator; it should therefore be seriously considered in food security and poverty alleviation strategies in Nigeria.

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An inventory of the entire tree species ≥10cm diameter at breast height (dbh) was carried out within Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) investigation 133 Shasha in Osun State, Nigeria. This study was carried out to ascertain the tree species diversity, conservation status and utilization potentials in the study area. The results were obtained from 16 sample plots of 50×50m in four tracts located through cluster sampling technique. In all, an average total of 295 stands distributed among 66 tree species and 28 families were encountered. High value of Shannon-Weinner index H'=3.73 and Evenness of E=0.89 were obtained for the reserve. At present, only few trees have attained the merchantable size of 48cm dbh. The 63 tree species in the study site were categorized into four groups namely, stable, vulnerable, endangered and threatened status. The result revealed that stable group had 1.59%, vulnerable 4.76%, endangered 44.44% and threatened 49.21%. Result of the Utilization potentials revealed that utility classes 7 - 8 accounted for 55.6% (comprises of tree species with no potential use for sawn timber), while 45.4%. of trees in classes 1 – 6 comprises of trees with timber potentials. This study highlighted species population diversity, conservation status and utilization potentials of the study site and called for ecological application in the management of forest reserves in Nigeria.

Deforestation occurs around the world; though tropical rainforests are particularly targeted, it

Effects of forest fire on the regeneration potential of trees at Olokemeji Forest Reserve was established in this study. The Olokemeji fire experimental plot was selected at the reserve. The site was divided into three plots; late fire treatment was applied to Plot A, Early fire treatment was also applied to Plot B and no fire treatment at plot C (Control plot). The diameter at breast height (dbh) and tree height (m) of the tree species in the plots were assessed prior and post fire treatment. The regeneration potential of the selected plots after burning were assessed through the occurrence of saplings and seedlings obtained. The highest basal area (m2) were found in plot C followed by plot B and Plot C with mean value of 0.64, 0.55 and 0.30 m2 respectively. The number of stems per plot ranged from 25 to 67. The regeneration potentials of the three plots were found to be noteworthy. Early and late year fire regime adopted had both positive and negative effect on the regeneration potentials of tree species. This study has established the effect and relevance of fire on forest and wildlife management. It’s therefore recommended in this study that Prescribed or controlled burning should be encouraged as appropriate sivilcultural management tool for stimulating basal area growth, natural regeneration, production of tree species seedlings and saplings.