South Southern Research Articles

Asia. An ethnography of fragrance: The perfumery arts of ‘Adan/Lahj By Dinah Jung Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2011. Pp. 284. Maps, Plates, Notes, Bibliography, Appendices, Index.

An ethnography of fragrance: The perfumery arts of 'Adan/Lahj By DINAH JUNG Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2011. Pp. 284. Maps, Plates, Notes, Bibliography, Appendices, Index. doi:10.1017/S0022463414000654 This interesting and theoretically engaged ethnography is valuable and relevant in several respects. First, in poststructural and postmodern anthropological and ethnographic analysis there has been a critical awareness of culture-bound limitations of social science paradigms based on the privileging of the visual in knowledge construction, meaning interpretation, and social practice. This bias derives from Enlightenment and positivist traditions in the Western sciences and humanities, and until recently has influenced both choice of research topic and method of analysis. In the wake of ethnographic critique over the past twenty-five years (James Clifford and George Marcus, Writing culture, 1986; James Clifford, The predicament of culture, 1988; Susan Rasmussen, 'Making better scents in anthropology', Anthropological Quarterly, 1999; Paul Stoller, The taste of ethnographic things, 1989, Sensuous scholarship, 1997), many scholars now recognise that additional sense modalities, for example olfaction, are highly elaborated in many cultures where sense modalities are given diverse meanings and uses in various contexts, and change in meaning over time. In Europe, scent formed part of the medicine cabinet, but later became part of cosmetics, and acquired more frivolous associations, despite its partial resurgence in aromatherapy (Constance Classen 1997, 'Foundations for an anthropology of the senses', International Social Science Journal, 'Engendering perception', Body and Society, 1997; Constance Classen, David Howes and Anthony Synnott, Aroma, 1994; Alain Corbin, The foul and the fragrant, 1986). In many parts of the world today, scent or aroma is a culturally-elaborated medium of communication and mode of aesthetic creativity. Dinah Jung's fascinating study of the cultural, aesthetic, social, and ritual meanings and uses of perfumery in South Arabia and southern Yemen, specifically in 'Adan/Lahj, shows how the elaboration of 'natural' scents into cultural perfumes, incense, and other aromatic forms enjoys much prestige, and carries complex meanings transcending art and pleasure (though these, too, are important). This ethnography contributes to efforts in cultural studies, Middle Eastern studies, and socio-cultural anthropology to better understand diverse aesthetic and philosophical worlds, specifically, attitudes toward scent in diverse cultural settings and changes in these attitudes over time. Jung discusses current meanings and uses of scent and the art of perfumery, and also traces transformations in this practice (as affected by changes in gendered constructs, the political economy, new environmental concerns, and popular tastes) under the successive impacts of British colonialism, postcolonial relationships in Yemen, and globalisation. Jung's research is also timely, given the general tendency to emphasise politics, violence, and conflict in Middle Eastern studies in recent years; there is a need for more truly cultural studies of Arab-speaking and Muslim societies, in particular, their artistic and symbolic traditions. This study provides rich insights into the manufacture, uses, roles, and meanings of local perfumery (including what in English would be classified as both 'incense' and oil-based 'liquids'--though these labels do not do justice to the intricacy and vast array of local aromatic categories) in historical and contemporary perspective, and more: this author also relates perfumery culture and aesthetics to religion and ritual, gender, social stratification, politics, and globalisation, and traces perfumery transformations (in its manufacture, uses, changing forms, materials, and tastes) over different eras and in response to wider events. …

Cryptococcal antigenemia among HIV seropositive patients accessing care in antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics in Calabar, South Southern Nigeria

Background: Cryptococcus neoformans infection is a life threatening disease especially when associated with immunosupression like HIV/AIDS. The greatest burden of disease occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, where mortality is estimated to be 17%. The finding of cryptococcal antigen in the blood represents a condition of systemic invasion with the fungus. Clinical manifestation of infection with Cryptococcus neoformans in AIDS patients is generally more evident at CD4 cells ≤100 cells/µl. This study was carried out to determine cryptococcal antigenemia among HIV seropositive patients accessing care in ART clinics as patients are not screened routinely despite reports of relatively high co-infection rates with HIV. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on ART-treated and ART-naive HIV positive adult patients attending ART clinics in two tertiary hospitals in Calabar, Nigeria. The sero-prevalence of cryptococcal antigen among the patients was determined using the cryptococcal antigen latex agglutination system (CALAS) (Wampole Laboratories, USA), according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The CD4 count levels of each patient were determined by flow cytometry using the fluorescent activated cell sorter BD FACS Count system (Becton Dickinson). Results: Out of the 272 HIV positive subjects enrolled in the study, 116(42.6%) were ARV-naive and 156(57.4%) were ARV-treated patients. A 5.1% cryptococcal antigenemia prevalence was established in the study. Infection rates were higher among subjects receiving ART 11/156 (7.1%) than in ART-naive subjects 3/116 (2.6%). Infection rates 5(35.7%) peaked at age 25-34 years. The mean CD4 counts of subjects with cryptococcal infection were 100.7±67.8 cells/µl, with a minimum CD4 count of 13.0. All the infections occurred among subjects with CD4 counts ≤200 cells/µl of blood. There was a statistically significant effect of cryptococcal antigenemia on the CD4 counts of the subjects (t=3.7, p=0.002). Conclusion: This study reveals that cryptococcal antigenemia is a health problem among HIV/AIDS patients in our locality. Cryptococcal antigenaemia seem to be more common among HIV patients on ART. The CD4 count levels among the ART treated subjects could have been boosted by administration of ART

Spatial variation in shape of otoliths for southern garfish Hyporhamphus melanochir – Contribution to stock structure

Otolith morphometrics and shape analyses were used to delineate the sub-population structure and determine the level of mixing of southern garfish in South Australian waters. Adult garfish from the 2+ age class were collected from three sites within each of six regions along the South Australian coast: Northern Gulf St Vincent, Southwest Gulf St Vincent, Kangaroo Island, Northern Spencer Gulf, Southern Spencer Gulf and the West Coast of Eyre Peninsula. This study adopted a multi-stage statistical approach exploring the spatial variation in gross otolith morphology and through elliptical Fourier analysis separately, and in combination, over both broad (regional) and fine (site) spatial scales. Stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed significant separation across both spatial scales; however, overall classification success of garfish to their site of capture was poor (<45%). Despite this, the results indicated some level of structuring within South Australia's southern garfish population, as fish were correctly classified at rates that were 32% better than would be expected by chance. At least six putative regional components with various levels of intermixing were detected based on differences in otolith shape. This result refines the spatial resolution of the fishery and consequently highlights the vulnerability of these regional components to localized depletion, particularly as the resource is currently considered to be over-exploited.

Structural Analysis Using Aeromagnetic Data: Case Study of Parts of Southern Bida Basin, Nigeria and the Surrounding Basement Rocks

Structural analysis using aeromagnetic data over parts of southern Bida (Nupe) basin, Nigeria and the surrounding basement rocks was carried out to highlight linear structures and infer the effects of such features on the tectonic events in the survey area. The basin consists of the basal Lokoja Formation, overlain by the Patti Formation and capped by the Agbaja Formation. The basal Lokoja Formation is a sequence of matrix supported conglomerates and sandstones overlying the Pre–Cambrian to lower Palaeozoic basement. Magnetic rocks (iron ore) occur at the central, north eastern and south southern sections of the study area. Trend characteristics of magnetic lineaments were highlighted using the Euler deconvolution method. Werner and Euler deconvolution of aeromagnetic data profiles were utilized to determine the depth to magnetic sources. Depth to magnetic sources along aeromagnetic data profiles ranges from 0.01 km to 0.51 km with an average value of 0.128 km. Deductions made from the research are; mineralization is structurally controlled in parts of the survey area with kaolin occurring along a lineament around Share, western part of the survey area. The occurrence of subsurface linear structures may be due to discontinuities caused by faulting of country rock. Lineaments’ trends inferred include the east–west, north–south, northeast–southwest, north northeast–south southwest and northwest–southeast directions, with the north northeast–south southwest trend being dominant. Werner deconvolution plots for profiles ZZ and HH located at the central and southern sections of the survey area respectively; are inferred to be basement rock fractures beneath the sedimentary rock.

Concentrating solar power: a renewable energy frontier

Renewable energies are advancing across many fronts – and now a new front has opened up in the form of dispatchable concentrating solar power (CSP). It is in emerging markets such as China, India and countries in North Africa and the Middle East as well as South America and southern Africa that CSP power plants with 24/7 dispatchable power are starting to be viewed as a viable way forward. The emerging CSP industrial value chain in China, India, southern Africa and elsewhere is expected to exert its consequent dramatic impact on cost reductions, which will in turn drive the diffusion of CSP around the world as a key challenger and alternative to nuclear and fossil fuel power. In this paper, we review these developments and discuss the effects attributable to the emerging learning curve, combined with technology progress involving molten salt heat transfer and reductions in water requirements, as well as patenting trends in the global CSP industry.

'Transformation to Paradise': Wartime Travel to Southern Africa, Race and the Discourse of Opportunity, 1939-50

More than 6 million Britons travelled to southern Africa during the Second World War as evacuees, to convalesce, for military training and en route to the battle fronts of Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East. Wartime travel provided more Britons than ever before with first-hand experience of white privilege and the lifestyle it provided in the settler colonial societies of southern Africa, convincing many to relocate there permanently. Wartime memoirs and letters reveal the ways in which the war both led to the strengthening of existing personal relationships between the UK and the settler colonies of southern Africa and the formation of new ones, including marriages. They also suggest that, for many, the heightened experience of the war and the exhilaration of living through extraordinary times made the return to normal life in Britain difficult. Southern Africa, with its combination of the familiar and the exotic, was an appealing alternative. Though the vast majority returned to the UK after the war, this collective first-hand experience influenced broader perceptions of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia as places of abundance, hospitality, and opportunity. This case study draws attention to the way the wartime travel provided more Britons than ever before with direct experience of imperial sites and suggests that this contributed to the continuing significance of empire, and especially the Dominions in post-war Britain.

Exploring Lost and Available Opportunities for Youth Empowerment in Selected African Countries

This paper aims to discuss pertinent lost opportunities towards youth empowerment as well as available opportunities to advance their empowerments. The paper uses dialogue, debates and perspect ives from selected African countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, DRC and Kenya. These are the countries that form evidence of the factors that have been discussed in the paper. Findings indicate the following environment militating against youth empowerment: Youth's exploitation of their labour by the their parents/ guardians/ adults; being used as agents of violence and war by the adults/ governments; being used for voting purposes at the political expediency of the adults/politicians; adults' condescending attitudes towa rds the youth; being used by their parents/societies to advance cultures for the gains of their parents/societies, but detrimental to their rights; and their increased indulgence in drug abuse. The following represents avenues of empowerment: Their physical strength to tap resources; their capacity and access to higher education; capacity to embrace diversity and being explorative; and embracing the spirit of indigenisation. The paper concludes by advocating for increased recognition of youth as agents of development by adults, governments, NGOs and private sector; increased funding of youth activities; and increased goodwill from the government and the adults to offer them a platform to realize their potential.

A generic method for climate change impact analysis of tree species planting domains

A trial application is described, largely using freely available datasets, for the preliminary assessment of climate change impacts on planting domains of key plantation species. The example study examines how climate change may affect locations in parts of South East Asia and southern China suitable for growing Acacia mangium, A. auriculiformis and A. crassicarpa. Simple descriptions of their climatic requirements are checked and, where necessary, refined. Climate data for current conditions as well as projected conditions in 2030, 2050 and 2080 are then used to map areas at a 10 min (about 18 km) resolution that are likely to have suitable climatic conditions for growing the species. Assuming a “business as usual” climate change scenario, climate change impacts are expected to be low in 2030, but likely to become medium by 2050 and high by 2080 as existing plantation sites increasingly fall outside the range of conditions known to be climatically suitable. Assessing likely impacts can help to identify plantations that are potentially most at risk, where performance should be carefully monitored to pick up early signs of any problems. The vulnerability of Acacia plantations of the three target species across the region is considered briefly in terms of the impacts of climate change and the ability of managers to adapt plantations to changing conditions.

Pattern of Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli from Healthy Adults in Amassoma, South-South Nigeria

Aim: To investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile of faecal Escherichia coli to common antimicrobial agents in healthy adults in Amassoma, South Southern Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, between February and June 2010. Original Research Article International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health, 4(12): 1245-1253, 2014 1246 Methodology: The stool samples collected were inoculated and screened for E. coli using standard microbiological protocols. The antimicrobial susceptibility test of the isolates was done using disc diffusion technique. Results: A total of 110 (84.6%) E. coli isolates were obtained from all the samples comprising 38 (34.5%) from the villagers and 72 (65.5%) from the University students. The overall resistance profiles of all the isolates were: ampicillin-95.5%, tetracycline72.7%, augmentin-70.9%, co-trimoxazole-54.5%, cefuroxime-44.5%, chloramphenicol39.1%, nalidixic acid-30.0%, nitrofurantoin-28.2%, ceftazidime-15.5%, ciprofloxacin14.5%, gentamicin-10.0% and ofloxacin-4.5%. The isolates from the villagers exhibited significantly higher resistances to some of the antibiotics than those from the students (P<0.05). The prevalence of multiple drug resistance among all the isolates was 76 (69.1%). Conclusion: The observed high level of multiple drug resistance among the flora of healthy individuals call for measures to control the sales of antimicrobial agents in this country as a strategy toward the containment of antibiotic resistance.

The Deciphered Genome of Mesobuthus martensii Uncovers the Resistance Mysteries of Scorpion to Its Own Venom and Toxins at the Ion Channel Level

ancestor (a species of fossil scorpion from Silurian to lower Devonian) [2]. From the fossils of the late Silurian period, scorpions were found to have developed and adapted their venomous systems [1]. Evolving over the past 400 million years, scorpion venoms contain a va riety of compounds, including the more or less potent and selective peptide toxins acting on the diverse and ubiquitous ion channel proteins. The latter are widely distributed in many systems, such as nervous, skeletal and cardiovascular in the scorpion’s prey (or predator). Basically, the severity of scorpion envenomation ranges from local pain and paresthesia to lethal cardiotoxicity and encephalopathy [3]. At present, it is a serious cause of mortality in several Latin countries, in South America, southern and western Asia, and Africa. The number of scorpion stings is estimated to be

Ethnic Politics in Ranked and Unranked Systems: An Exploratory Analysis

This article explores how ethnic politics may operate differently in societies with “ranked” versus “unranked” ethnic systems, where ethnicity and class correlate closely versus very little. It focuses on two hypotheses suggested, but not tested, in Donald Horowitz's Ethnic Groups in Conflict. Their plausibility is explored in seven brief case studies of electoral politics in South America and Southern Africa. The analysis suggests that theories of ethnic politics that fail to take class into account are problematic for the study of ranked societies in particular.

Sea-bob shrimp in Bahia state: aspects of their fishing and biology

The fishing activity Bahia presents great economic importance, being basically artisanal. Trawling is carried out since the 70’s, and among the resources exploited, the-bob-shrimp ( Xiphopeneus kroyeri ) is the most important. We analyzed data of its fisheries production (2001 and 2007), and presented aspects of their biology to the south coast (LS) and southernmost (LES). For assessment of fish production data were compiled from statistical bulletins CEPENE / IBAMA for the biological data used were generated between the years 2003/2005 and 2010/2011 for the coast of Ilheus (LS) and 2004/2009 for the RESEX (LES). The species represented half of shrimp harvested, although the composition was not homogeneous along the coast, which may represent up to 90% of the fisheries in the south coast and southern end. In Ilheus, there was a significant decline in mean CPUE between the first (2.60 ± 2.40 kg h-1) and the second period (0.73 ± 1.41 kg h-1), being the amount recorded in RESEX Corumbau about four times higher (9.96 ± 8.29 kg h-1). In both locations, the lowest catches occurred in the summer, with periods reproductive and recruitment continued. These results may be associated with different management strategies applied on both sites. We suggest that a standardized of landing data collection and a continuous monitoring by the responsible agencies are necessary; that the management policy and legislative currently in place should be reassessed and that new public policies that facilitate the management of this resource need to be developed.

Injection Safety Practices among Medical Doctors in a Tertiary Health Institution in South Southern Nigeria

Unsafe injection practices are common in developing countries including Nigeria. Unsafe injection practices cause an estimated 1.3 million deaths annually globally. This study assessed injection safety practices among doctors in a Teaching Hospital in Edo Stat, utilizing a descriptive cross sectional study design. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 statistical software with statistical significance set at p=0.05. Results Three hundred and nine (96.6%) and 11(3.4%) of respondents had good and poor knowledge of injection safety respectively. Training received on injection safety (χ 2 =6.84; p=0.033) significantly influenced knowledge of injection safety. Three hundred and three (94.7%) and 17(5.3%) of respondents were involved in safe and unsafe injection practices. Recapping of needle and syringe was the most common unsafe injection practice 12(70.5%) with 8(47.1%) and 9(52.9%) respondents engaged in this act always and sometimes respectively. Conclusion This study identified good knowledge and a high prevalence of safe injection safety practice among doctors but gaps exists between knowledge and practice of injection safety among doctors. There is need to strengthen frequency of training and behavior change interventions on injection safety among doctors and human resources for health to bridge this gap.

Population Genetic Structure and Gene Flow Among Nigerian Goats

Population Genetic structure in 200 indigenous goats sampled across four states from the South-Western and South Southern region of Nigeria was assessed using 7 microsatellite DNA markers. Observed Analysis of molecular genetic variation (AMOVA) was higher within populations (3.47) than among populations (1.84) accounting for 71% and 29% of the total genetic variation respectively. Population structure analysis clustered Nigerian goats into 2 distinct groups with Sahel (SA) and Red Sokoto (RS) forming a cluster on one side and WAD on the other. Highest gene flow values (3.46) were observed between Ibadan Sahel (IBSA) and Port-Harcourt Sahel (PHSA) goats, while the least (0.25) was recorded between Abeokuta West African Dwarf (ABWAD) and Abeokuta red Sokoto (ABRS) goat populations. It was conclude that there is a good measure of genetic diversity that can be harnessed for planned genetic improvement and confirms that there is indiscriminate flow of gene within and among Nigerian goat breeds.

Global synthesis of Searchlight reports using knowledge discovery and visualization

– The purpose of this paper is to synthesize trends, issues, and policies related to development using a database of Searchlight reports. The paper seeks to utilize three techniques – conceptual tree visualizations to uncover patterns impacting regional development; network analysis to compare and contrast urbanization in South Asia and Southern Africa; and sentiment analysis to assess various sectors of development that elicit positive and negative reactions., – The paper presents a synthesis based on a unique database that was developed using a novel scoring scheme to quantify the development concepts presented in 312 Searchlight articles in a period between September 2009 and December 2010., – Primary and secondary concepts define an ontology that can be visualized to provide an overall synthesis of a subset of the Searchlight database. Social issues were significant in Asia, climate change narrative in Africa, and governance in Latin America. In terms of sentiments, negative sentiments tended to overshadow optimism. However, technology and knowledge was seen as a panacea along with social entrepreneurship in some regions of Asia. There is also a realization that newer issues related to climate change, resource and energy depletion, food insecurity and the current financial crisis will exacerbate present difficult conditions., – The paper suggests that qualitative data presented in various articles could be synthesized and visualized using data mining techniques. This methodology provides a comprehensive way to capture knowledge and insights provided by development experts to coherently share and discuss the multitude of common global challenges of the twenty‐first century., – The visualizations and data mining techniques are developed for this study context. The approach can add value by tracking and monitoring current and emerging trends relevant to the Foundation's strategic framework, operational initiatives, and areas of work. Parts of this paper have been presented in a previous publication (see www.bu.edu/pardee/publications‐library/connecting‐the‐dots/).

Reconstructing hydroclimatic variability in the South Southern Andes from Documentary Sources. 17th to 20th centuries

Reconstructing hydroclimatic variability in the South Southern Andes from Documentary Sources. 17th to 20th centuries

Alectrias markevichi sp. nov.—A new species of cockscombs (Perciformes: Stichaeidae: Alectriinae) from the sublittoral of the Sea of Japan and adjacent waters

A new species of cockscombs, Alectrias markevichi sp. nov., is described from 46 individuals from the sublittoral of Peter the Great Bay and Moneron Island (the Sea of Japan), South Kuril Strait, southern Hokkaido, and northeastern Honshu (the northwestern Pacific). A. markevichi sp. nov. differs from all the known species of the genus in the presence of only three pores in the occipital commissure (no pores near crest base and no medial tubule), only four pores in the preopercular canal, only one shortened spine at the end of dorsal fin, and 11–18 preural vertebrae with wide neural processes.

Species richness and endemism of Australian bryophytes

Although understanding the patterns of diversity is essential for conservation and environmental studies, an understanding of bryophyte distributions in Australia has been limited by the absence of continental-scale maps for patterns of bryophyte diversity. The aim of this study was to identify the patterns of species richness and endemism of hornworts, liverworts, and mosses in Australia. A database of 85 383 geo-referenced herbarium records was assembled and aggregated at a grid cell resolution of 0·5°. A one-cell radius neighbourhood analysis was applied to identify the spatial patterns of species richness and endemism. Primary centres of species richness were located on the east of the continent, with the highest number of species occurring in Queensland’s Wet Tropics, the Border Ranges near the Queensland–New South Wales border, the central coast of New South Wales, southern Victoria, and Tasmania. Endemism scores were high in the Wet Tropics, but highly endemic regions were scattered across the continent but not found in arid regions. The spatial patterns of diversity differed among hornworts, liverworts, and mosses, and areas of endemism and species richness did not always overlap. Comparisons with other taxa additionally indicated that areas of bryophyte diversity do not correspond with groups that are currently used as proxies in conservation.

Effect of Intercropping and Crop Arrangement on Yield and Productivity of Late Season Maize/soybean Mixtures in the Humid Environment of South Southern Nigeria

Field experiments were carried out between September and December in 2007 and 2008 at Akamkpa (150 15'' N; 80 22'' E), Nigeria. The objective was to investigate yield and productivity of maize and soybean as sole crops and as additive mixtures (100:100) in response to five levels of nitrogen (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 kg/ha) and five crop arrangements (sole maize at 53,333 plants/ha, sole soybean at 266,666 plants/ha and maize: soybean intercrop arrangements of 1:1, 2:2 and 1:2). The trial was a split-plot design in a randomized complete block with nitrogen in main plot and crop arrangement in sub-plot, with three replications. Intercropping had no significant effect on grain yield of maize in 2007. In 2008, maize grain yield grain yield reduction in mixture was 6 percent compared to sole cropping. Soybean seed yield reduction in mixture was 32 and 43 percents in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Crop arrangement significantly influenced yield components and yield in both maize and soybean. Planting maize and soybean in 1:1, 2:2 or 1:2 arrangement had no significant effect on maize in 2007 but depressed grain yield of maize by 38, 35 and 14 percents in 2008. Spatial arrangement of maize and soybean in 1:1, 2:2, and 1:2 depressed soybean yield by 51, 44 and 45 percents in 2007 and by 86, 64 and 73 percents in 2008. Intercropping reduced the relative maize grain yield by only 1 percent in 2007 and from 4 to 9 percents in 2008. Soybean relative yields were from 31 to 34 percent lower than sole crop yield in 2007 and 39 to 46 percent lower in 2008. The relative yield totals for both 2007 and 2008 were well above unity, an indication that the system was highly productive. This implies that intercrops were 64, 66 and 63 percents in 2007 and 43, 57 and 65 percents in 2008, more productive than the sole crops at 2:2, 1:2 and 1:1 arrangements, respectively. Late season maize and soybean may be planted in 2:2 or 1:2 arrangements to take advantage of optimum soybean seed yield and 65-100 percents of the maize grain yield in the humid South Southern Nigeria.

Organic Matter Dynamics in Soils Regenerating from Degraded Abandoned Rubber Plantation in Orogun Area of the Rainforest Zone of Southern Nigeria

The area of secondary forest (SF) regenerating from degraded abandoned rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis ) plantation is increasing in the rainforest zone of south southern Nigeria; however, the build-up of soil organic matter following abandonment is not well understood. This study examined the build-up of soil organic matter in a mature forest and three secondary forest fields aged 1, 5 and 10 years of age following the abandonment of degraded rubber ( Hevea brasiliensis ) plantation in Orogun in a part of the rainforest zone of south southern Nigeria. This is in order to ascertain the rate of build-up of organic matter in the soil during the course of forest regeneration from degraded abandoned rubber plantation ( Hevea brasiliensis ). There was a progressive increase in organic matter content of the soil with increasing age of the secondary forest. Organic matter increase was more rapid in the topsoil (0-10cm) than the subsoil (10-30cm): the level of organic matter in the topsoil reached 92.94% of the level of organic matter in the mature forest topsoil by the tenth year and 84.62% of the level of organic matter in the mature forest subsoil by the tenth year. The concentration of organic matter in the topsoil is higher than the subsoil. Reviews of the reported trends in soil organic matter build up during forest establishment after agricultural use show no common trend. This study showed a great variation in soil organic matter build up even within the same locality. Keywords: Organic matter, Rubber plantation, Degraded, Orogun, South Southern Nigeria, Secondary forest.