SPECIES DIVERSITY, VOLUME DETERMINATION AND STRUCTURE OF PROTECTED FORESTS FOR IN-SITU BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

This study was designed to determine tree species composition, vegetation structure and the potentials of these protected forests for in-situ biodiversity conservation. The study areas were stratified into two different forest types (primary forest and sacred forest). Data were collected from eight 25 m plots situated in these four forest areas (Akure Strict Nature Reserve, Eda Forest Reserve, Osun Osogbo Sacred Grove and Igbo Olodumare Sacred Grove) all located in southwestern Nigeria using a simple random sampling method. The results showed that the forest ecosystem included 57 tropical hardwood species belonging to 29 families. The highest tree species, diversity index and species evenness were found at Osun Osogbo sacred grove. This followed closely by Akure primary forest and Eda primary forest while Igbo Olodumare sacred grove had the least species composition species diversity index and species evenness. These findings confirmed that both the primary forests and sacred grove forests are important indicators of in-situ biodiversity conservation and structural improvement of the forest ecosystem. Despite the neglect of traditional methods of conservation, it has proved to be most effective method with high potentials for forests in-situ biodiversity conservation and this enhance ecosystem management.