Evaluation of Woody Plants Used by Pandam, Namu and Kayarda Communities in Tropical Woody Savanna, Nigeria

Abstract

Most rural communities are opposed to forest reservation by the government not only because it denies them of the right of land ownership but because of the essential services these forests provide for the populace. In most cases there is usually total ban on any form of extraction from such forests without taking cognizance of the effects on those who live around these forests. The reason is because Government is not well informed of the rate of reliance of rural dwellers on the forests surrounding them. This research was conducted to ascertain the level of dependencies of three rural communities on Pandam Wildlife Park in Plateau State, Nigeria. Woody plants used by Pandam, Namu and Kayarda communities were investigated. A transect (10 x 1000) was laid across the park. Woody plants from 10cmdbh were marked. 12 people knowledgeable in plants and their uses were selected. They were made toidentify marked trees, their uses and parts used. Data were descriptively analyzed. Results show that 99% of identified plants have medicinal uses, 5 are used for food, 5 for economic purposes, 1 as first aid, 11 have multiple uses, 3 are under harvest pressure. Parts used are leave (37.10%),bark (30.65%). There is need for conservation especially those species (15) with multiple uses.