Multiple Land Use Benefits of Peri-urban Forest (Arakanga Forest Reserve, Ogun State, Nigeria): Perception of Resource Users and its Implication

Abstract

The study examined multiple land use benefits in a peri-urban forest in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria and the perception of resource users on the significance of the benefits. Stratified Random Sampling technique was used for the study with 100 respondents selected. The settlement was divided into four strata based on existing pattern in the area. The four strata are Ajegule, Ibode Olude, Ilugun Titun and Mawuko. From each stratum, twenty five respondents were randomly selected with a total of 100 respondents from the study area. Questionnaire and interview were used as the instrument of data collection. The benefits derived from the reserve cut across all age groups, ethnic background, educational levels and marital status of respondents. The forest reserve provides multiple benefits in terms of goods and services and environmental protection. Mantel measurement for combined benefits showed firewood as the most dominant with indispensible value of 34 followed by Teak leaves collection 24 and 16 for geological material extraction. The major objective of the reserve is timber and poles production but simultaneously other multiple benefits such as firewood, snails, teak leaves, medicinal plants, bushmeat and geological materials were derived from the reserve. Consequently, the forest reserve contributes to livelihoods of the surrounding communities. This was measured through perception of the respondents with positive mean values and standard deviation of Likert rating. It is therefore recommended that increased conservation effort must be ensured through appropriate forest policy formulation along with the introduction of alternative domestic energy source to firewood to enable the forest contribute more to the welfare of surrounding communities.