Population Structure and Regeneration Potential of the most Abundant Timber Tree Species in a Rainforest Reserve in Southeastern Nigeria
1Ananah A. Annah
1Department of Forestry and Wildlife, Cross River University of Technology (Obubura Campus), Cross River State, Nigeria
&
2Opeyemi Olajide
2Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
E-mail: solaolajide1967@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Sustainable management of the remaining areas of tropical rainforest is being canvassed globally. Quantitative and qualitative ecological data on the forests are indispensable for the actualisation of sustainable management. Accordingly, this study assessed the population structure and regeneration potentials of the most abundant timber trees in a rainforest reserve in Southeast Nigeria using belt transect and quadrat techniques for data collection on mature trees and regeneration. Data collected were analysed on per/ha basis, stem diameter classification and calculation of regeneration potential indices. A total of 19 species were found to be the most abundant, with Celtis integrifolia having the highest population density of 53 per/ha, while Brachystegia eurycoma, Enantia chlorantha and Vitex grandifolia had the least of 5 per/ha each. Most of the trees are of small stem diameter with the stem diameter-class 20 – 29cm had the highest frequency of 522 trees, while stem diameter-class 90 – 99cm had the least of 31 trees. The highest regeneration density of 418 per/ha was recorded for Berlinia confuse, while B. eurycoma and Pterygota macrocarpa regeneration were not encountered. Only 9 of the 19 tree species showed sustainable natural regeneration capability as indicated by their regeneration potential indices of ³ 0.10. Limiting timber harvesting to the few big-size trees, and enrichment planting with seedlings of trees of poor natural regeneration potentials would enhance sustainable management of the forest.
Keywords: Rainforest, Timber, Trees, Population, Regeneration, Sustainable Management
