Ecological Survey of Valuable Non-Timber Plant Resources in Two Rain forest Reserves in Southeastern, Nigeria

Abstract

The density and diversity of plant species producing valued non-timber products in two moist rainforests in Southeastern Nigeria were studied. The two forests are Cross-River North Forest Reserve, Cross River State and Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, Akwa Ibom State. Twenty- three plant species with the distribution as Trees (7), Palms (1), Shrubs (6), Climber (5), and Herbs (4), were assessed in the Cross River North Forest Reserve, while twelve species with the distribution as trees (2), Palms (2), Shrubs (2), Climbers (3), and herbs (3) were assessed in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. Shannon-Wiener's diversity indices result (D) in the Cross River North Forest Reserve, showed D of 2.12, 0.30, 1.50, 1.20 and 1.51 respectively for trees, palms, shrubs, herbs and climber while in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve D result of 0.60,0.60,0.60, 0.90 and 0.91 respectively were recorded for trees, palms, shrubs, herbs and climbers. Keywords: Rainforests, Non-Timber Products, Diversity- Indices, Sustainable ManagementEthiopian Journal of Environmental Studies of Management Vol. 1 (2) 2008: pp. 93-97