Effect of human activities on Yandev forest plantation, Gboko, Benue state, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the socio-economic attributes of people living around Yandev Forest Plantation to determine the influence of their livelihood activities on the forest and ranked them according to the degree of severity. The paper estimated the size of deforested areas in the plantation. Two hundred respondents were randomly chosen from five plantation fringe communities and administered with a semi-structured questionnaire. Stratified Random Sampling method was used to determine species density while size of deforested area was estimated through aerial photography. Result revealed that 65% of the respondents were male, 35% females. Young people (49%) of the sampled population were within the age bracket of 20-35 years. Eighteen percent were above 40 years old. Respondents (64%) earned less than N300,000 per annum. Maximum of 96% used firewood and charcoal as their main sources of energy. Illegal logging, urbanization, and fuelwood harvesting with mean value of 6.13, 5.38 and 5.27ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively. Effect of illegal logging and urbanization on the depletion of wood species in the plantation were significant at both (P<0.01) and (P< 0.05) while that of fuelwood harvesting and farming were significant at (P<0.05). Fourteen hectares representing 40% of the plantation original size of 35ha has now been deforested. Human activities were therefore threatening the existence of Yandev forest plantation especially the expansion of Tar Ukpe market. The researcher, therefore, recommended adequate security around the plantation and strict enforcement of forest laws in State to curtail illegal logging activities among others.

Keywords: Human Activities, Yandev Forest Plantation, Deforestation.