Stand Population and Regeneration of Trees producing Non-Timber products of Economic Values in a Rainforest Estate in Cross River State, Nigeria
Opeyemi Olajide & Egor B. Etigale
Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management
Faculty of Agriculture
University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
E-mail: solaolajide1967@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
The dearth of data is a major factor militating against sustainable multiple-value management of natural forest in Nigeria. Accordingly, stand population and regeneration assessment of tree species producing economically valued non-timber forest products was carried out in Ukpon River Forest Reserve, Cross River State, Nigeria using systematic cluster sampling technique. The data collected were subjected to parametric analysis and descriptive statistical analysis. A total of 16 tree species were encountered, with Xylopia aethiopica having the highest population density of 13 per/ha. The highest regeneration population density was recorded for Gambeya albida (formerly called Chrysophyllum albidum). Most of the trees are of small diameter size. The diameter-class 1 (10-19cm) has the highest frequency of 89, while diameter-class 9 (90 – 99cm) has the least of 2. Most of the species encountered are rare and not capable of sustainable natural regeneration. A legal ban should be placed on their exploitation for timber, and enrichment planting of the forest with their sturdy raised seedlings should be carried out to engender the sustainability of production of their economically valued non-timber products.
Keywords: Rainforest, Non-Timber Products, Trees, Regeneration, Sustainability
