Ecological and Phytosocio-Economic Assessment of Undergrowth in a Community- Owned Rainforest Reserve in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
1Opeyemi Olajide, 1Idongesit M. Etuk & Comfort J. Essien2
1Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
2Directorate of Forestry and Environmental Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Mineral
Resources, Uyo, Nigeria
E-mail: solaolajide1967@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Sustainable natural forest management for multiple production of forest goods cannot be realized without quantitative and qualitative ecological data on the constituent plant species, particularly, those producing socio-economically valuable products. Accordingly, ecological survey of sundergrowth species producing edible and medicinal items in a community-owned rainforest reserve was carried out using transect and
quadrat sampling system. Data collected were analysed to determine the population density per/ha for each undergrowth species, and dominance concentration index (cover over space) of each plant life-form was also
determined. Thirty-eight (38) species were encountered with the distribution as follows: tree seedlings – 11, shrubs – 11, herbs – 12 and climbers – 4. The highest sum total population density of 1039 per/ha was
obtained by the herbs, while the least of 39 per/ha was recorded for the climbers. Similarly, herb life-form had the highest dominance concentration of 0.5906, while climber life-form had the least of 0.0008. The edible
and medicinal products from the undergrowth species vary from fruits, seeds, leaves, barks, tubers, roots and rhizomes. Drawing on the results, it is concluded that the forest should be managed for the production of
multiple forest goods as against the wood or timber alone management objective. Keywords: Rainforest, Undergrowth, Non-timber products, Edible, Medicinal, Sustainable management.
