Assessment of small mammals in land use/land cover dynamics of Ikwokwu Ipinu Forest In Ibi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study seeks to assess small mammalian population in relation to the dynamics of its habitat. Three habitats were purposively selected based on availability; thick forested area, grassland and the riparian habitat. Six lines transect length of 1.5km (two from each habitat) were laid to conduct the survey for small mammals for six months (March to August 2024), twice consecutively for a week in the morning (06:00 to 10:00 am) and late afternoon (16:00 to 18:30 pm) in each transect. The woody plants species were enumerated within four sample plots of 25 x 25 m² per line transect across each habitat. ArcGIS software was employed for vegetation dynamics. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and relative abundance. The study recorded a diverse array of small and medium-sized mammals across three habitats: thick forest, grassland, and riparian zones. The Thryonomys swinderianus and Genus xerus were the most frequently encountered, making up 25% of the sightings, Sylvicapra grimmia, Felis silvestris, and Cricetomys gambianus comprised 16.6% of the recorded populations. Shrubland is the largest land cover type at 25.47%, followed closely by grassland (22.99%) and tree cover (21.02%). The Fabaceae family is the most dominant, comprising 30.43% of all three species in the region. A small mammal population study in the Ikwokwu Ipinu forest (also known as Ipinu-Igede) in Benue State, Nigeria, highlights the urgent need for  community-led conservation. The forest harbors significant populations of medium and small mammals but faces intense human pressures like timber logging and farming that lead to habitat fragmentation.