Population Analysis Of Emergent Timber Trees Species (Etts) In Iko Esai Forest Reserve, Akpamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

A 5 x 4 – factorial study design in a randomized complete block (RCB) with 4 replications was used to analyze the population of emergent timber trees species (ETTs) of Iko Esai Community Forest Reserve in Akamkpa, Cross River State, Nigeria. Six ETTs were encountered in the Forest Reserve. These trees species were Piptadeniastrum africanum (30 trees), Pycnanthus angolense (12 trees), Ricinodendron heudelotii (3 trees), Khaya grandifoliola (4 trees), and Irvingia gabonensis (1 tree). The mean numbers of the ETTs per transect ranged between 0.855 and 1.145, that of sampling points ranged from 0.9942 to 1.204. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) amongst transects and sampling points in terms of mean numbers of ETTs encountered. The density of all ETTs in Iko Esai Community Forest Reserve was 15.7 trees per hectare. Their average diameter at breast height (dbh) ranged between 76.2cm and 84.0cm, basal area (m2/ha) ranged from 0.8 to 20.0, relative dominance ranged between 2.0% and 48.0%, and relative density ranged from 1.8 to 52.7%. In almost all the population parameters mentioned above, Piptadeniastrum africanum ranked first while Irvingia gabonensis took the last position out of six ETTs encountered in the Forest Reserve. Four diameter classes: 0.2m – 0.6m, 0.6m – 1.0m, 1.0m – 1.4m and 1.4m – 1.8m were established and the ETTs of Iko Esai Forest Reserve were clustered around diameter classes 0.6m – 1.0m. In view of the high mortality of ETTs brought about by over storey competition, insect and disease attacks, senescence, high rate of exploitation by man etc, it is recommended that the seeds of ETTs should be collected from time to time for the purpose of raising nurseries for pure forest plantation establishment using ETTs seeds.

Keywords: Emergent trees, forest reserve, Iko Esai, Nigeria

Global Journal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 39-43