Comparative Analysis of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration and Temperature between Forest and Non-Forested Domains in Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the concentration levels of CO₂ and temperature and also to correlate their values among selected locations in Oyo State, Nigeria. CO₂ and temperature readings were taken using a portable CO₂ meter, and a GPS was use to capture co-ordinates of sample points, this was done twice a day. Data were collected from 7am to 11am for morning session while afternoon session data were collected between 1pm and  5pm making a total of 8 hours monitoring. There were negative correlation between CO₂ and temperature in all the forests while we have positive correlation between CO2 and temperature in non-forested domains, this,  by implication, means that presence of trees in the forest reserve help to reduce Carbon dioxide during the day since trees  manufacture their food using CO₂ in the presence of sunlight. Also, the positive correlation between CO₂ and temperature in the towns is due to high rate of human anthropogenic activities during the day. The values of CO₂ obtained in this study were higher when  compared with IPCC limit of 435 ppm (parts per million) of CO2 emission. Routine monitoring of carbon dioxide and public education is recommended.

Keywords: Carbon dioxide, Temperature, Forest, Non-Forest, Forest Reserve