ABSTRACT There is growing concern on environmental degradation and human population displacement. This study adopted multiple models that consider the variables linking human population displacement and local environmental degradation. The main concern of this study is tied on refugee ecological impacts as consequence of spatial and temporal changes in land use and land cover. The study adopted a combination of descriptive research design and integration of RS and GIS techniques in underscor...
ABSTRACT Citrullus lanatus (Thumb.) Matsumura & Nakai seeds are valued for their oil for both household consumption and in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry. The immense monetary value offered for its seeds has resulted in over-exploitation of C. lanatus. This study investigated the ethnobotany, seed production, germination and viability of C. lanatus under controlled greenhouse and natural field conditions. An ethnobotanical study was carried out were resource users and key informant...
ABSTRACT Bush encroachment is the conversion of open savannas to tree-dominated shrub lands. Bush encroachment results in habitat degradation and the loss of resource productivity. In this study, small mammals were used to investigate the effects of bush encroachment on biodiversity. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of bush encroachment on the species abundance, diversity and composition of small mammals. The study was conducted in selected bush encroached and non-bush en...
ABSTRACT Provision of artificial water points to large herbivores leads to range deterioration and degradation, especially in semi-arid and arid ecosystems. This is a cause for concern in both protected and private lands in Namibia and elsewhere. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of large herbivores on soils and vegetation around water points in the Waterberg Plateau Park (WPP). Five artificial water points were selected for the study. Four line-transects sta...
ABSTRACT Disability is a growing problem worldwide. The challenges facing people with disabilities are being exacerbated by poor and inadequate transport. This paper assessed the mobility challenges and transport safety of disabled people in Ibadan Metropolis. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A structured questionnaire was administered on 388 respondents (crippled and blind) in 2 major motor parks, designated bus stops and road terminals along corridors where peopl...
Abstract Although urbanization may be increasing globally, over 75.0% of Nigerian populations are still living in rural areas. Extensive rainfed farming used to sustain this population is limited by loss of forest biodiversity, climate change and exposure of fragile soil. This study reports the socio-economic background of Edo State forests environments dwellers in relation to their land use activities with a view to positively harnessing the synergy of the two variables for improving human l...
Abstract A cemetery, because of its presumed sanctity, is less disturbed from other land use activities in the urban areas and thus serves in many cases as the last remnant for greenery and conservation of trees in many large cities. However, there is little information on the population, diversity and management of trees in cemeteries located in the Ibadan metropolis. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the potentials of cemeteries as urban tree conservation areas. Eight cemet...
ABSTRACT This study investigated the marketing system of Palmyra Palm products in North-eastern Nigeria to; identify its marketable products, channels of distribution and roles of market participants, and also assess its marketing facilities in North-eastern Nigeria. Data were generated through market surveys and interviews on 203 respondents selected randomly from Adamawa, Bauchi and Yobe markets. The generated data were analysed using descriptive statistics where appropriate. Marketing syst...
Abstract Black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis) have been extirpated from most of their historic range with the remaining individuals (ca. 5200) living in geographically isolated populations. Management priorities include creating new populations whilst maintaining genetic diversity and promoting gene flow between existing isolated populations. Such objectives are however currently hindered by a lack of comparative/reference data on levels of diversity, relatedness and inbreeding in a large, f...
Abstract In Namibia, large areas burn each year with a distribution of burn relating to the rainfall gradient. As a result fires are widespread and frequent in the north, especially in the northeast. In these areas more than 2 million hectares of forested land burn each year. Fires, amongst other factors, have negative effects on biodiversity. These effects have not been fully assessed. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of different fire frequencies on vegetation ...
Abstract Acacia mellifera is viewed negatively due to its invasive nature to the extent that farmers tend to remove it from their farms without really considering that it may have beneficial effects. Thus the study looked at the role it plays on soil fertility, herbage quality, and botanical composition with reference to N-fixation. Soil and grass samples were collected at Corsica Resettlement farm at 6 distances within three sub-habitats from bases of five A. mellifera trees outwards. The n...
ABSTRACT Human societies have, for centuries, impacted and altered the natural environments through different land use practises. Unsustainable land use practices are seen as one of the major threats to biodiversity around the globe. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of different land use types, mainly grazing and browsing by wildlife and livestock; land clearance for cultivation and wood harvesting on plant species diversity, composition and vegetation st...
Abstract The objectives of this study were to describe reproduction, diet, nematode infection and sexual dimorphism in Agama anchietae and Pedioplanis undata undata, two Namibian lizard species with wide geographic distributions for which such baseline ecological information is still lacking. The specimens used in the study came from the preserved Herpetological Collection of the National Museum of Namibia. Agama anchietae occupies rocky areas and the findings were as follows, reproduction: ...
ABSTRACT This thesis explored agroforestry as an adaptation strategy to climate change in the Kassena Nankana West District, Upper East Region. Climate change poses a serious threat to agricultural activities in agrarian economies, such as Ghana, which requires adaptation. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess how farming communities are using agroforestry to be able to adapt to the negative consequences of climate change. Specifically, the study assessed farmers’ understa...
Abstract The European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) is one of the most endangered vertebrate species in Germany. The species conservation programme “Europäische Sumpfschildkröte”, which was initiated in 1993 / 94, deals with the exploration of biology and the protection of the few still existing small populations. For the protection of the species, reintroduction to its former range is taken into consideration. The present study evaluates the habitat suitability of the nature reserve ...