An assessment of the microclimatic impact of neem plantation (Azadirachta indica) on four weather variables at Gujba Road Damaturu, Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper analyzed the impact of Neem (Azadirachta indica) plantation on four weather variables namely: Rainfall, Relative Humidity (R.H), Temperature and Wind Speed at Gujba road Damaturu, Yobe state, Nigeria. To achieve this, meteorological records of these elements were collected from the protected side of the plantation at three growth stages: the first five years (1999 – 2003), the second five years (2004 – 2008) and the last five years (2009 – 2013). Mean values of the four weather variables were computed and compared with the average values of the same elements from the unprotected side of the plantation. Results have shown that between 1999 and 2003, there were insignificant differences among the four weather elements between the protected and unprotected areas. In the second five years however, marked variations, were observed between control values and mean values of these elements measured in the protected area. At this stage, differences between average values of the same weather elements measured in both areas were significant. In the last five years, meteorological records from both areas varied considerably with same trend of changes as in the second five years. The study concluded that there was direct relationship between the microclimatic potentials of Azadirachta indica plantation at Gujba road Damaturu and its canopy density which varied with stages of growth. It is recommended that there is a need for proper understanding of both botany and adaptation of tree species to be involved in programs and projects of environmental management.

Keywords: Impact, microclimate, Azadirachta indica, weather variables