Forest Resource Degradation and Sustainable Practices in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The study was carried out to determine the causes of degradation and sustainable practices for forest and its resources in Plateau state of Nigeria. Study Design: Descriptive survey research design. Place and Duration of Study: Kanke, Langtang, Quan Pan, Shendam, and Wase Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Plateau State, between July 2013 and April 2014. Methodology: The study was guided by two research questions while the population was made up of local forest users. Stratified random sampling method was used to obtain a sample size of 500 local forest users. The instruments for data collection were a structured questionnaire and a structured interview guide. The reliability of the questionnaire instrument was established using Cronbach alpha technique and a co-efficient of 0.81 was obtained. Frequency and simple Short Communication Ikehi et al.; JAERI, 2(1): 30-38, 2015; Article no.JAERI.2015.004 31 percentage were used to answer the research questions and to interpret the results. Results: The study found 8 out of 12 causes of degradation and 13 out 14 adoptable sustainable practices for forest and its resources in the study area. Conclusion: The implementation of the identified sustainable practices for forest and its resources in Plateau state is necessary to help save and improve on the remnant forest in the state.