Characterization of Forest Resources and their Users for Evolving Management Options for Local Users in Ozubulu community of Anambra state, Nigeria
Pages : 873-880Download PDF
This study was designed to characterize forest resources and their users for evolving management options for local users. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. It was carried out in Ozubulu community of Anambra state. Five research questions guided the study. The population for the study was 120 comprising 65 farmers, 25 hunters, 17 civil servants and 13 palm wine tappers. Snowball sampling technique was used to select 52 respondents comprising 29 farmers, 12 civil servants, 6 hunters and 5 palm wine tappers. Questionnaire consisting of 45 items was used to elicit information from the respondents. The questionnaire was validated by three experts from the Department of Agricultural and Bio resources Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Cronbach alpha was used to determine the reliability of the instrument which yielded a coefficient of 0.76. The data collected was analyzed using frequency distribution/percentages for the demographic data and mean/Standard Deviation to answer the research questions. The paper identified various situations of forest users and the characteristics of forests in Ozubulu community. The study also identified factors inhibiting the proper use of forests, conservation methods as well as factors affecting the choice of management options. The study recommended the following; discouragement of fuel wood plantation system, Government ensuring adequate adherence to forest rules and regulation and there should be regulated or planned cutting of trees.
Keywords: Forest, Forest resources, Degradation, forest users, management options