Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry
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Carbon Sequestration Potentials of Woody Plant Species in Makurdi Zoological Garden Benue State Nigeria
No full textAims: The aim of this study is to estimate the total carbon sequested by some Woody plant Species in Makurdi zoological garden and its contribution to climate change.
Study Design: Random sample plots of 100 m × 100 m were located in the field using a Garmin GPS and simple allometric procedures using standard carbon inventory principles and techniques that are based on data collection and analysis of carbon accumulating in the above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, and soil carbon using verifiable modern methods were adopted.
Place and Duration of Study: Field experiment was carried out at the Makurdi zoological garden, Benue State, Nigeria between September and October 2018.
Methodology: The non-destructive method was used with the view to determine the above ground biomass (AGB), below ground biomass (BGB), Estimate the above ground carbon (AGC), below ground carbon (BGC), Total Carbon Content (TCC) and also to estimate the Above ground C02 and below ground C02 and the total C02 Sequestered in the study area.
Results: A total number of 27 species of trees belonging to 16 different families were found in randomly selected sample plots. The diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured at 1.3 m from ground level with a good measuring tape while heights of plants were measured using haga altimeter. The result showed that a total of 3331.05 ton/ha of C02 was estimated to have been sequestered using the non-destructive field measurement.
Conclusion: Total average standing biomass of various tree species was calculated to be 907.6395 tons/ha whereas the total average carbon sequestered was 302.6918 tons/ha. Carbon sequestration capacity of trees increased as the age of trees increases. Therefore it can be concluded that the older trees have higher carbon content than younger trees hence, they are reservoirs of carbon
Effect of Transplanting Method and Gypsum Rate on Yield and Yield Contributing Characters of Boro Rice in Saline Zone of Bangladesh
No full textSalinity intrusion causes problems in the coastal areas of Bangladesh. Climate change creates hazards like cyclone, sea level rise, and storm surge have been increasing the salinity problem in many folds. The coastal region covers about 20% of the country; from where cultivable land more than 30%. Agricultural land uses in these areas are very poor, because of high content of salinity in Rabi season. Already, 830,000 million hectares of land already identified as affected by soil salinity. A field experiment was carried out at saline prone area at Binerpota, Satkhira under natural salinity condition during Rabi season 2017-2018. The experiment was carried out with rice variety Binadhan-10.This variety was evaluated under four transplanting methods i.e., M0: Control (No Slope/flat land), M1: Ridge and furrow (each furrow 30 cm wide accommodating 3 lines transplanting), M2: Ridge and furrow (each furrow 60 cm wide accommodating 5 lines transplanting) and four levels of gypsum with control G0: control, G1: 75 kg ha-1, G2: 150 kg ha-1 as basal and G3: 150 kg ha-1(75 kg ha-1 as basal +75 kg ha-1 42 DAT). The experiment was laid out in a split plot design with three replications. The unit plot size was 3 m x 4 m. The recommended fertilizer doses applied for the experiment were 80 kg N ha-1, 15 kg P ha-1, 50 kg K ha-1. Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and zinc were supplied from urea, TSP, MoP, gypsum and zinc sulphate monohydrate respectively while urea was applied in three equal splits. Application of gypsum had significant effect on plant height, number of effective tiller m-2, length of panicle, total number of spikelets panicle-1, thousand grain weight, number of filled spikelets panicle-1, grain yield straw yield. It seems that the crop responded to the application of gypsum. Overall results suggest that an application of gypsum The highest grain yield (7.7 t ha-1) was produced in ridge and furrow method where gypsum rate was 150 kg ha-1 (75 kg ha-1 as basal + 75kg ha-1 at weeks after transplanting followed by (7.4 t ha-1) basal application of 150 kg ha-1 gypsum along with N, P, K, Zn and Boron might be necessary to ensure satisfactory yield of rice in saline prone area under natural salinity condition
Contributions of Selected Non Timber Forest Products to Socio Economic Lives in Oban Hills Forest Reserve, Nigeria
No full textThe study appraised the socio-economic contributions of selected Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to the people in Oban Hills Group Forest Reserve, Nigeria. The research was carried out from November, 2014 to January, 2015. Data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to randomly selected household heads in ten (10) communities from the east and west corridors of the Oban Hills Forest Reserve. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as tables, means, simple percentages and graphical illustrations. Inferential analysis was conducted using student’s t-test and correlation analysis. Results indicate that 68.90 percent of the respondents were male while 31.10 percent were female with 42.10% being farmers. Also 73.60 percent of the respondents were married and mostly in the age brackets of 31-40 years. Result on correlation revealed that there was significant relationship between occupation and household size (p ≤ 0.05), experience and occupation relate significantly with the income of the respondents at 0.01 and 0.05 level of significant respectively, while marital status relates negatively with household size and experience (p ≤ 0.01). The study revealed that Irvingia gabonensis (Bushmango), Gnetum africana (Afang), Archachatina spp (Snail), and Bushmeat were the major NTFPs harvested from the forest in the study area. On ranking the NTFPs, in relation to income generation and employment, results indicate that Bushmango was the major income generation source, with the highest employment openings in the study area. The people of Oban Hills Group Forest Reserve depend on NTFPs directly and indirectly for income generation and employment, There is need for sustainable harvesting of NTFPs in the study area to enhance their preservation and sustainability in the wild and also proper marketing channels of NTFPs to generate adequate income to improve the living standard of the people in the study area
Effect of Different Moisture Harvesting Techniques on Seedling Survivals and Growth of Trees in Degraded Lands of Southern Tigray
No full textTree planting on degraded lands play a key role in forest rehabilitation processes through afforestation and/or reforestation. Moisture harvesting structures (MHSs) has significant impact on seedling survivals at degraded lands. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of water harvesting techniques on seedling survival and growth performance of trees. Field experiments were conducted for two rainy seasons in southern Tigray, Atsela watershed. The experimental design followed was the split plot design. The MHSs as main plot used were eye-brow basins (EBs), micro trench (MTs), improved pit (IPs) and as control normal pit (NPs). The tree species grown as subplots were Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Grevillea robusta, Olea europaea and Cupressus lusitanica. The four tree species were planted by using seedlings. The tree survival rate, height, crown width (CW) and root collar diameter (RCD) of the four tree species were measured every six months after transplanting. The result shows that MHSs were significant in tree seedling height, CW and RCD but not in tree survival rate. Tree seedling height and CW grown in EBs were significantly higher than those grown in MTs, IPs and NP (P≤0.05). RCD of tree seedling was higher when grown in EBs than NP (control) (P≤0.05). The interaction of tree species seedlings and MHSs shows that those seedlings grown on MHSs were significantly thicker, taller and more survived than those grown on the NPs (control) (P≤0.05). So based on the experiments, it is concluded that MHSs particularly the eyebrow basin was considered as the most appropriate planting pit. Therefore, further demonstration of eyebrow basin tree planting should be carried out
Agricultural Adaptation Options against Adverse Effect of Climate Change in Shyamnagar Upazila in the Satkhira District, Bangladesh
No full textBangladesh is a developing country and its economy depends largely on agriculture but the economic sector is most vulnerable to climate change and variability. This survey study was intended to know the nature of hazards, identify and analyze the adaptation options to climate change in Shyamnagar Upazila in the Satkhira district. Data were collected from the farmers of five selected villages namely Ramjannagar, Padmapukur, Munshiganj, Kashimari, and Koikhali from Shyamnagar Upazila in the Satkhira district during the period of August, 2016 to December, 2016 using open questionnaire process. The sample size was 100 farmers drawn from a population of 650 inhabitans using random sampling technique. Data were processed and analyzed using Excel-2007 and SPSS-16. The study found that the intensity of salinity has increased and most of the respondents observed that some crops were more damaged than they were in the past and some other hazards (flood, cyclone, rainfall) were posing new threat by changing their nature. About 86% of the respondents perceived and adapted to climate change. There were different adaptation options viz. sorjan method, crop rotation, saline tolerant varieties, crop diversification, mini pond, adjusting planting time, to name a few introduced for agricultural activities and also enhancing agricultural production and improving soil health. In the study area, problems farmers were ranked using Problem Confrontation Index (PCI), which showed that “lack of available water” (PCI-291) ranked 1st “shortage of cultivable land” (PCI-287) 2nd, and “unpredicted weather” (PCI-284) 3rd. The adaptation options were measured by Adaptation Strategy Index (ASI) method, which ranked “sorjan method” (ASI-287) first, “Crop rotation”(ASI-242) 2nd, and “saline tolerant varieties” (ASI-232) 3rd, the tree being attractive adaptation options in the study area. About 86% of the respondents followed Boro rice-Vegetables-T. aman cropping pattern. There were some barriers to adaptation measures like lack of irrigation facilities (94% of respondents), lack of knowledge (90%) and poor soils (90%) on the top. For water harvesting adaptation options farmers benefited from diverse assistance in digging mini-pond in crop field, water reserve in narrow canal in crop field. However, due to the introduction of innovated adaptation techniques the said threats have been mitigated to a greater extent. And, this has become possible only for the coordinated support from the government, development partners (NGOs, WB, FAO) and local people
The Riparian Tree Species Composition and Diversity of the Midstream of Halda River in Chittagong, Bangladesh
No full textRiparian vegetation has been depleting in the many river basins of Bangladesh. Consequently, this study assessed the tree species composition, structure and diversity of the midstream area of the Halda River in Bangladesh. Twenty two quadrats (20 × 20m in size) were sampled. A total of 414 individual tree stems of ≥10 cm DBH of 36 tree species belonging to 31 genera and 15 families were enumerated. Density, Basal area and volume of the tree species were measured. Different diversity indices, i.e. Shannon-Wienners Diversity Index, Simpson's Dominance Index, Pielou’s Species Evenness Index, Margalef's and Menhinick’s richness index were calculated. Fabaceae was the most represented family with nine species, followed by Moraceae, Meliaceae and Anacardiaceae. Density, basal area and volume of the trees were 470.45 stem/ha, 19.09m²/ha and 139.42m³/ha, respectively. Samanea saman was found to be dominant, showing a maximum IVI, followed by v, Mangifer aindica, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Artocarpus heterophyllus. The findings of the study will be helpful for the posterior researchers in their research work and their future tree based planning programs and conservation. So it is recommended that greater emphasis should be taken to proper management and conservation against over extraction and illegal felling for the maintenance of existing tree species composition and density
Comparison of Logistic Regression and Geomod Approaches to Forest Change Modeling in the Period of 1988 – 2025
No full textSpatial modelling of land use change is a technique for understanding changes in terms of the location and amount. In this study, logistic regression and Geomod approaches were used for modelling forest change in Gorgan area in Northern Iran in the time period of 1988-2007. To do this, at first, remotely sensed imagery data of the years 1988, 1998 and 2007 were used to produce land use maps. Land use maps accuracy assessments were achieved using Error matrix method and then the maps were used to implement change detection process in two time periods of 1988-1998 and 1998-2007. Results indicated a reduction in forest areas during the mentioned time period. Next, the independent variables were extracted in order to land use change modeling. The Results of the models implementation showed the ability of both models for forest change modeling in this region. Also, the models were used to predict the future condition of forest area in the years 2016 and 2025. The results revealed that the forest area would be associated with a reduction in the future. Comparison of the results of the models using kappa indices showed the successful implementation of both models for forest change modelling in this region. The results of this research reveal the need for appropriate applications of the proper plans to control land use change in order to preserve the environment and ecological balance of the area. Therefore, careful planning can reduce the land use change and its impacts in the future in this region
Assessment of Chainsaw Milling Enterprise in Benue State, Nigeria
No full textThe paucity of information on chainsaw milling enterprise has contributed to poor planning and development of timber resources in Nigeria. This study has accessed the marketing efficiency and structure with a view of evaluating its potential contribution to the livelihoods and economic development of Benue State. Multistage sampling technique and purposeful sampling technique were applied to determine the study sample which was drawn from the three geopolitical zones in the State; Zone A, Zone B and Zone C. Applying a sampling intensity of 30%, seven (7) Local Government Areas (LGAs) were sampled from the 23 LGAs of the State for the study. Based on this arrangement 79 chainsaw millers were selected and interviewed on the trading activities. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequency distribution. Also gross margin analysis, marketing margin, marketing efficiency, Analysis of variance, T-test Statistics, Index of market concentration (IMC), Rate of return on investment (RORI) and Gross Ratio (GR) were used in the determining the profitability and the efficiency of chainsaw millers trading efficiency in the study area. The study revealed that the trade is male dominated having 100% of the respondents as males. Similarly, the indigenous groups dominated the chainsaw milling and with the Tiv having the majority of (65.8%), this was followed by the Idoma (13.7%), Igede, (12.5%) and Igbo (5.5%), Igala and Sura 1.4% each. The study identified 18 timber species that were marketed in the study area and that 2,411, 37,733, and 69,492 volumes were marketed in zones A, B and C respectively. The result of the gross margin and market efficiency showed that that the chainsaw milling activities are profitable and efficient. It revealed the mean monthly gross margin (GM) of 39,688.00, 128,730, and 84,000 with corresponding RORI of 84.19, 43.93, and 1.80 for the chainsaw millers. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of GMs were significant with 0.013. The Total Revenue and Total Variable Cost (TVC) equally showed significance with 0.045, 0.000, 0.000. The IMC, Gini coefficient of 0.1891, 0.3218 and 0.1829, indicated that the concentration was low with income inequality but with a competitive market
Evaluation of Eucalyptus Clones in Eastern Gangetic Plains of Uttar Pradesh, India
No full textEucalyptus is among the most widely cultivated forest trees in the world over 22 million hectares (ha). It provides major raw material for the pulp, plywood and paper industries in India, so it is imperative that planting stock of high genetic quality be used to increase the yield from plantations. In India, Eucalypts are in improving stage for adoption at larger level and choice of suitable clones is still a big challenge in eastern part of Uttar Pradesh. To assess the suitable clones of Eucalyptus for this region, an experimental trial was established under statistical design of Randomised Block Design for 13 clones (IFGTB 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, FRI-100,104,124) of 02 eucalyptus species (E. tereticornis and E. camaldulensis). The soil analysis indicated pH 9.3, EC 0.89 mm/cm, organic carbon 0.21%, Nitrogen 47.3 kg/ha, Phosphorus 11.3 kg/ha and Potassium 184.8 kg/ha. The highest value of annual increment in gbh belonged to clones IFGTB 6 (5.18 cm) followed by IFGTB 8 (5.12 cm), IFGTB 2 (4.74 cm), IFGTB 5(4.36 cm) and IFGTB 10 (4.02cm) amongst IFGTB series whereas in FRI clones, clone FRI 100 performed superior with 3.03 cm increment in girth after one year of planting. The lowest values belonged to clone IFGTB 9 and DDN 124 with 2.44 cm and 2.49, respectively. The clones with good annual increment in height were IFGTB 2 (3.85 m) followed by IFGTB 6 (3.80 m), IFGTB 10 (3.77 m) ,IFGTB 8 (3.55 m) and IFGTB 5 (3.30 m) in IFGTB series whereas in FRI series, FRI 100 (2.70 m) performed superior over other two clones. The survival of plants was in range of 66-100%. The clones of species E. camaldulensis in IFGTB series performed better over other clones/species. The evaluation of Eucalypt clones will be helpful for identification of promising clones for the specific region, thus, planting stock of desired clones may be raised for their further cultivation in field. The expansion of plantations of Eucalyptus in agro forestry will be helpful in reducing pressure of forests, increasing trees outside forests and upgrading the economic level of farmers
Community Poultry Project for Conserving the Wildlife Species in Magombera Forest, Tanzania
No full textAims: Poaching of wildlife is a major challenge in their conservation, including endemic ones like Procolobus gordonorum Matschie. Local communities in Udzungwa and Magombera poach for subsistence and small scale commerce. The Community poultry project adjacent to Magombera forest contributed towards enhancing the conservation of wildlife species through providing community with poultry as an alternative livelihood where meat and income can be generated in legal and convenient methods.
Place and Duration of Study: This study took place in communities surrounding the Magombera Forest in the Morogoro region of Tanzania. The study was conducted from July 2018 to January 2019.
Methodology: Random semi-structured questionnaires with Likert scaling were administered to 119 local community members neighbouring the Magombera Forest. A training workshop in which the participants were trained on veterinary and improved rearing practices in order to address the challenges were administered to 52 participants, followed by pre- and post-training evaluation questions that assessed the challenges and opportunity for poultry keeping.
Results: Sixty one percent of respondents reported that they kept chickens before training, after training all showed an inclination to keep chickens for meat and income generation. The respondents reported that challenges for poultry keeping are diseases control, market for products, rearing system and predators and parasites.
Conclusion: Training on poultry production to enhance conservation of biodiversity in Magombera forest is essential. However from this study it is clear that crucial challenges (such as diseases) for successful poultry production, specified by local communities, need to be dealt with first