Utilization of allanblackia floribunda for rural livelihood sustenance in rivers state, Nigeria

Abstract

Allanblackia floribundaOliv. (Clusiaceae) is valued for food, medicine, timber and soap making across tropical African regions. This study was carried out in five local government areas in Rivers State; Eleme, Emohua, ObioAkpor, Ndoni and Oyigbo to evaluate indigenous uses of the plant. The five local government areas were selected using random sampling technique. One community was randomly selected in each local government area; Eneka, Ebubu, Obukegi, Ubimini and Mgboji. Also, 20 households were randomly selected further in each community. The results showed that A. floribunda is used as food [oil (26.90%), condiment (15.97%)], medicine for treating [malaria (17.30%), stomach ache (65.65%), head ache (1.60%), body pain (4.00%) and infertility (4.13%)], timber [construction (13.35%), building (52.65%), pole (13.35%)]. It was also observed that there are some factors that predispose the species to endangeredness/extinction such as urbanization (19.18%), shifting cultivation (8.80%), logging (33.26%), bush burning (21.10%), oil spillage (7.82%). The respondents expressed willingness to support conservation strategies for A. floribunda such as seedling provision by agencies/government, domestication of seedlings and appropriate policy with adequate implementation by government. If the strategies listed above are adopted the species will be preserved and prevented from being extinct.

Keywords: Allanblanchia, Conservation, Ethnobotany, Rural dwellers, Rivers State