The Flora and Conservation Status of Ifon Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria
Abstract
A vegetation survey of Ifon Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria was carried out. The Reserve had been converted to forest fragments, derived savanna and abandoned farmlands by human activities. A total of 119 plant species distributed in 49 families were encountered during the survey. The forest was dominated by members of Leguminosae, Sterculiaceae and Moraceae Families. Many of the species were being harvested for timber but there were Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) from Irvingia gabonensis, Piper guineensis and Xylopia aethiopica that could be exploited for income generation. 35 species belonging to 18 Families were encountered in the derived savanna, some of which were extracted for timber. The presence of tree seedlings indicated that the forest fragments could recover from abuse if proper management practices were put in place. The approach being recommended is the Participatory Forest Management, which entails the involvement of forest-edge communities in the conservation of the forests. This method has been in practice in Tanzania since 1980s and it was reported to be effective. With the Forest restored, the State could develop the ecotourism potentials of the Reserve to increase accruable revenue from the Forest. It would also enable the State participate in the United Nations Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and carbon trading programmes.
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