Tree Compositions in Selected Farms in Parts of Kano State, Nigeria
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Ezeobi J. U., Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
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Yakubu I. B., Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
[3]
Ahmed M., Department of Geography, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.
The act of destroying natural vegetation especially trees for various purposes such as cultivation of land for agricultural purposes, building, uncontrolled grazing of livestock and general construction purposes, with no efforts of replacement eventually results into ecological degradation. This paper highlighted issues concerning the diversity of trees composition. The study adopted a stratified random sampling in collecting data. Ten smallholder farms were surveyed in each of the four local government areas. In total, 40 smallholder farms make up the sample area. Data were collected using GPS (Global positioning system) Garmin 76csx. Quadrat. 10m x 10m measurement of quadrats were established along the line transect in each of the smallholder farms of the four study areas. The analysis shows that a total number of 48 trees were present on all the smallholder farmlands. Azadirachta indica is the most common species encountered with 37.5%. This tree species occupies a prominent position because, in addition to the possible fertility improvement potentials, it is an exotic tree species planted as a village tree for its shade and fuel wood supply. It is highly resilient because of its deep roots. The rare species identified are Ceiba pentandra with 2.1%, Ziziphus spina-christi (2.1%) and Psidium guajava with 2.1%. In conclusion, it is believed that the density and diversity of trees on smallholder farms in this fragile ecological zone are threatened by climate change, deforestation, pest diseases. The massive felling of trees could result to complete impoverishment of land. Therefore the study recommends for strict legislation prohibiting indiscriminate felling of trees should be enacted. There should be effective management of trees in order to guarantee a sustainable future devoid of socio-economic and ecological crisis and the local government authorities should carry out or sponsor holistic surveys of their Local Government Areas in order to generate the much needed data for planning which will promote the development of sustainable rural communities.
Quadrat, Densities, Smallholder Farm, Trees Specie
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