Spatial Distribution and Status of Biota Habitats in the Forest Reserves of Omo and Ago-Owu in Ogun State, Oluwa in Ondo State, and Ife and Shaha in Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The biota comprises all living organisms (bacteria, fungi, plants, animals) that inhabit a given area. Therefore, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the spatial distribution and status of biota habitats in the forest reserves of Omo and Ago-Owu in Ogun State, Oluwa in Ondo State, and Ife and Shaha in Osun State of southwestern Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The field surveys were conducted in relation to a 5 km × 5 km grid of cells across the target region. Twenty-three transects 5 km in length were created, and walks of 2.5 km from the boundary to the center of the grid cell enabled observation and data collection in these forest complexes. Mammals were detected at very low rates, especially in the Osun reserves. From the 23 transects totaling 115 km, only 140 mammals were encountered. Most large mammals, particularly elephants, are relatively abundant across much of the western Omo Forest. Hunters’ reports showed that chimpanzees are still present in southern Shasha and in Oluwa Forests. Our assessment revealed that except for the 4.6 km² Strict Natural Biosphere Reserve in Omo, all the remaining natural forests have been heavily damaged by many years of intensive logging. However, if protected and given time, these forests can still regenerate.