Abstract
Unsustainable fuel wood utilisation and poorly articulated habitat reforestation strategy could pose serious threats to the survival of animal species. However, few areas have provided the opportunity to compare the twin effects of these factors on local biodiversity which may be useful for shaping conservation strategies at local levels. Thus, this study examined utilization patterns of plant species used for fuelwood in five Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria and the extent of avian and insect diversity that they support in natural habitats in comparison to the exotic Eucalyptus camaldulensis used in the reforestation of mined areas in the state. Pattern of fuel wood utilisation was obtained through direct survey of fuel wood markets. Biodiversity survey was also carried out to determine avian and insect visit rates, species richness and diversity on the three most utilised plant species (Parkia biglobosa, Syzygium guineense and Terminalia macroptera) and the exotic E. camaldulensis. Fuel wood utilisation appeared to involve a wide range of plant species. Most utilised plant species also supported higher local biodiversity as compared to the exotic E. camaldulensis suggesting that future reforestation in the area could achieve a wider ecological significance if some native plant species are considered. Keywords: Fuel wood, reforestation, biodiversity, birds, insects.
Highlights
Unsustainable fuel wood utilisation and poorly articulated habitat reforestation strategy could pose serious threats to the survival of animal species
This study examined plant species utilised for fuelwood in five Local Government Areas of northern Plateau State, Nigeria and the extent of avian and insect diversity that they support in natural habitats in comparison to the exotic E. camaldulensis used in the reforestation sites
A total of 142 individual birds spread across 36 bird species and 11 families were recorded during this aspect of the study
Summary
Unsustainable fuel wood utilisation and poorly articulated habitat reforestation strategy could pose serious threats to the survival of animal species. Examples that showcase specific ecological roles rendered by human threatened flora and examine candidate plant species utilised in reforestation projects at local levels are lacking despite their importance for shaping conservation and environmental management strategies This is because few areas are available that gives the opportunity to exploit these two effects simultaneously. This is buttressed by a study on community patterns of fuelwood exploitation by Abdulrashid and Ibrahim (2018) which was collaborated by Abdul-Hamid et al (2020) in a study that evaluated fuelwood consumption patterns in northern parts of Nigeria where both fuelwood supplied and consumed were shown to be sourced from the same local environment These patterns could have attendant consequences on dependent local fauna as well as decrease plant diversity and lead to soil erosion (Madaki and Sayok, 2019)
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