Assessment of indigenous fodder tree species from different land-use types in Dutse, Jigawa, Nigeria

Abstract

The expansion of urban areas driven by increasing human population and the conversion of forested lands into other use has largely affected the  diversity of fodder and non-fodder tree species in most areas of the Sudan-Savanna ecoregion. Long drought period has made edible tree species, an alternative for livestock owners. This has affected indigenous fodder trees composition while the extent of this loss has not been adequately documented in most parts of Jigawa State. To check this, indigenous fodder trees were identified while density and diversity of these species was assessed. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were administered to document preferred fodder trees while four land-use types were selected to determine the diversity of fodder trees in Dutse Local Government area. Qualitative data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Shannon weiner’s index was used to calculate the diversity, where Chi-square and distribution table were used to analyze the result and compare variables. Age played a role in keeping livestock while majority of the respondents (65%) had non-formal education. Forty-two (42) fodder tree species of choice were identified, the common and preferred species with highest percentage are: Philiostigma reticulata, Tamarindus indica, Adansonia digitata, Ficus thorningii, Mangifera indica and Parkia biglobosa. Cattle route had the highest diversity with a Shannon index of 1.07/0.5ha, followed by farm fallow, farmland and homestead with less diverse index of 0.98/0.5ha, 0.84/0.5ha, and 0.82/0.5ha respectively. Fodder tress diversity was significantly different among the different land-use type. The need to regulate the rate in which fodder trees are unsustainably
felled is paramount else, most of these species will disappear within a short time. Multiple land-use and Agroforestry practices that will protect these components of the ecosystem are recommended as a management approach.

Key words: Land-use, fodder tree, diversity, composition, cattle route