EVALUATION OF THE ECOTOURISM POTENTIALS OF IKOGOSI WARM SPRING AND ARINTA WATERFALL WATERSHEDS IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

Ecotourism has attracted increasing attention in recent years as an alternative to mass tourism because it takes into account the natural ecological attraction, their conservation and development. This study evaluates the ecotourism potentials of Ikogosi warm spring and Arinta waterfalls watersheds in Ekiti State. Direct observation, oral interview and vegetation assessment were methods used for data collection in this study. Two hectares (ha) of land were measured in each of the study sites. Each hectare was divided into four plots of 50 m by 50 m. Two plots were diagonally selected within each hectare. Trees above 1 m in height and basal diameter ≥10 cm were identified and classified into families. The vegetation was classified into three layers. Sorenson’s coefficient was used to compare sites for overlapping of similarity. The results revealed that Ikogosi warm spring centre is well equipped in term of infrastructural facilities than Arinta waterfall centre. Seventy eight (78) species and 25 families were recorded in both watersheds with family Malvaceae having the highest species density (15). Malacantha alnifolia (5) and Voacanga africana (5) were the species most frequently encountered. Sorenson’s coefficient revealed similarity in the vegetation of the two study sites. It is recommended that environmental impact assessment be carried out in Arinta waterfall before any alteration is made to the flora and fauna of the site in the name of infrastructural development.