Abstract
There are over 8,000 globally threatened tree species. For each species, there is a different story behind why they are threatened and what values we stand to lose if we do not find the means to save them. Mahogany, a member of Meliaceae, is a small genus with six species. Its straight, fine and even grain, consistency in density and hardness makes it a high valued wood for construction purposes. The bitter bark is widely used in traditional medicine in Africa. The high demand for bark has also led to the total stripping of some trees, complete felling of larger trees to get the bark from the entire length of the tree and bark removal from juvenile trees. These species are now threatened with extinction due to selective and polycyclic logging, and also excessive bark removal. The natural regeneration of mahogany is poor, and mahogany shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta (Moore) attacks prevent the success of plantations within the native area in West Africa. In developing countries, most of the Khaya species exists in the wild state; therefore, the regeneration and long-term conservation are at the mercy of the vagaries of nature and the profit driven herb collectors and timber merchants. It becomes urgently necessary by government of developing countries to place ban on further harvesting of mahogany species to allow the remaining few trees of mahogany in the forest to recuperate and produce substantial seeds for regeneration.
Highlights
Tropical rainforest, an ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator was very rich in both plant and animal species (Groombirdge, 1992; Turner, 2001)
In South West Nigeria, the upsurge in ethno-botanical studies and scientific research into the use of plant species has further enhanced the pressure on populations of medicinal forest species as more people use plants’ parts for treating various body ailments
The natural regeneration of mahogany is poor, and mahogany shoot borer Hypsipyla robusta (Moore) attacks prevent the success of plantations within the native area in West Africa (Newton et al, 1993; Nikiema and Pasternak, 2008)
Summary
An ecosystem type that occurs roughly within the latitudes 28 degrees north or south of the equator was very rich in both plant and animal species (Groombirdge, 1992; Turner, 2001). This immense biodiversity generates a variety of natural resources which helps to sustain livelihoods of both local and urban communities (Kumar et al, 2006). This review paper is prepared to awaking the consciousness of forest conservationists, policy maker, governmental and non-governmental organization about these species and the need to intensify research effort to avert the extinction of their natural diversity
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