Environment and Forestry

The study investigated the comparative effect of Tectona grandis to different concentration level of CCA preservative. The species were obtained from five plantation trees from Burgma forest at Onigambari Forest Reserve, a total of 75 test samples consisting 60 samples treated to CCA and the remaining 15 as control experiment. The samples were later subjected to termite attack at a termittarium for 3months. The preservation absorption, retention and penetration were measured while analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. Results showed that Teak had the highest absorption, retention and penetration of 48.33km/m3 and longitudinal and lateral penetration of 4.1mm and 2.0mm at 5% concentration. The absorption of 4% concentration was 42.89kg/m3 with retention of 1.59kg/m and 47.78kg/m3 with retention of 1.40kg/m3. After exposure to termite, Tectona grandis immersed in 5% concentration of CCA produce the most durable. Analysis of variance showed a significant difference among the absorption rate while the retention shows insignificant differences among the absorption rate while the retention shows insignificant differences among the concentration. In conclusion, preservative treatment at 5% concentration produce the most durable, the higher the concentration the better the durability of Tectona grandis, hence, the treatment of the species at 5% concentrate by immersion is recommended.

This study examined the dependence of women on the harvesting, processing and marketing of Shea seeds a non-wood forest product (NWFPs) with a view of establishing its contribution to their economic empowerment in Saki, Oyo state. Data were obtained from a random sample of three categories of target groups; harvesters, processors and marketers of Shea butter in the study area by means of questionnaire. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency table and percentages for clarity purpose. Results from the analysis revealed that women were actively involved in the Shea business across all levels with 73.3% gatherers, 100% processors and 70.70% marketers/middlemen, this is probably because women are involved in the provision of food security and family welfare in most communities worldwide. Twenty-nine (96.67%) of the processors and all the gatherers had Vitellaria paradoxa stands on their farmland which served as a major source of V. paradoxa fruits from which the Shea is processed while others without tree stands collected the fruits from nearby forest lands. The result also showed the rate of collection of shea nut by harvesters. 10%, 10%, 20%, 23.33%, 6.67% and 16.67% gathered between 1, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10 tons of shea nuts respectively while 13.33% gathered less than 1 ton per annum. The average per capital income generated by the different categories of respondents in the business showed that harvesters (6.67%) earned between 10,000 and 50,000, 23.33% earned above >50,000, 26.67% earned above >90,000 and 43.33% earned above >130,000 as annual income for their families.

This research work examined the consumption pattern of Irvingia gabonensis in Ukwuani area of Delta State, Nigeria. The target respondents were the households in the study area. Data for the study was collected by administering structured questionnaires to and interview of one hundred (100) respondents. Data analysis was done using simple descriptive statistics, T-test and Chi-Square. The students T-test was used to compare the different uses of Irvingia gabonensis in the study area by the consumers/households. The result showed that 100% of the respondents are aware of the species; most of the respondents (89.4%) consume it while 10.6% did not utilze it. It was also discovered that, majority of the respondents (62.4%) use it for soup only while 37.6% consumed it as food and fruits. Most of the respondents (67.1%) sourced them from the markets, 4.9% from the collectors and 2.8% from forested areas. The result also confirmed that it is widely accepted (87.1%) in the study area. The study also revealed that the utilization rate of Irvingia gabonensis in the study area is increasing (76.5%) while 23.5% asserted that it is decreasing. Majority of the respondents (79.2%) confirmed that they use it because of its nutritional importance while 20.8% consume it because of its medicinal uses. The socio-demographic results showed that all of the respondents (100%) that used it are less than 30 years, 100% of students and civil servants utilize it more than other categories while the result of the Chi-square reveals that utilization depends on primary occupation and also educational background of the respondents. This paper therefore recommended among other things that domestication and interventions of this species should be encouraged for proper management and sustainability.

Late colonization of baited hives is a serious problem facing apicultural industry in tropical countries. Towards providing practical solution to this problem, three methods of artificial colony division were experimented in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, using top bar hives. Hives with strong and active colonies (aged > 12 months) were used as Mother Colony and were divided into new hives tagged Daughter colony. Method A involved placing Daughter colony at original place of Mother Colony and taking Mother colony to a distance of 30 m away from its original position. Method B involved placing Daughter colony on top of Mother colony, maintaining original position of Mother colony but facing opposite direction. Method C involved placing Daughter colony 30 m away from its Mother colony. In each method, 3 brood combs and 4 honey combs were placed in the Daughter colony hive and the remaining space on the hive filled with empty top bars. The results indicate that Method A was the best, having no pest infestation or intruder but higher weight gain. At 2, 6 and 8 weeks after colony division, weight gain observed in Method A (3.2, 2.1 and 2.1 kg respectively) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than weight gain observed in Methods B (2.2, 0.75 and 0.65 kg) and C (1.61, 0.75 and 1.12 kg ) respectively. The pests encountered in Methods B and C were Aethina tumida, Oecophylla longinoda and Galleria melonella while Brachymeria species was the only intruder encountered in the study.

Socio-cultural factors are the facts and experiences that influence an individual's personality, attitudes and lifestyle. In some societies, women’s participation in tree growing can be hampered by traditions, beliefs, norms and taboos. The main objective of this study was determination of the socio-cultural factors that influence women’s participation in tree growing in Siaya County, Kenya. A cross - sectional survey design was used with 120 household respondents, 40 key informants, 4 women groups and the Luo council of Elders. Instruments used were; structured questionnaire, interview schedule and interview guide. Data was analysed using both descriptive and coefficient of multiple correlations at 0.05 confidence level. 95% of title deeds are in the names of males, 1.8% of females (all of them were widows) and 3.2% had the names. R2 is 4%, standardized beta coefficient of the same indicates -0.201 and p-value significance is 0.028. On traditions, 48.3% either disagreed or strongly disagreed, 50% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed, 1.7% could not decide. Key informants, women groups and Luo Council of elders agree that traditions and beliefs influence. R2 is 3.6%, standardized beta coefficient, -0.191 and p-value is 0.037. In conclusion, land tenure, traditions/customs and beliefs/norms are socio-cultural factors influencing participation of women. More efforts should be put to sensitize the community members the need to have attitudinal change as regards women in tree growing for increased land cover.

The diversity and population density distribution survey of primate was conducted in Sambisa Game Reserve. The study noted three diverse primate species dominant that include Baboon (Papio anubis), Tantalus monkey (Cercopithecus tantalus) and Red patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas). The aim of the study was to determine density estimate, population structure and the relative abundance between species and habitat disturbances. Information on the objectives of this study is not sufficiently documented, it is therefore right to carry out such study so as to provide baseline information that could be used to plan conservation management strategies for primate. The line transect sampling method was used for the enumeration. The data obtained was analysed using the software package DISTANCE 6.0 to determine population density estimate. The result showed that primate population was concentrated in three ranges of the reserve (Kwada, Yuwe and Jeltere). Balda range has suffered habitat disturbances resulting into insignificant number of primate. The mean encounter rates (MERs) for the three species were 1.85km-1, 0.94/km-1 and 1.58km-1 for baboon, Patas monkey and Tantalus monkey respectively. Baboon had the highest estimated density of about 12km-2. The estimated density of Tantalus monkey in the study area was about 11km-2. Patas monkey had a density estimate of about 7km-2. There was a significant difference in the pattern of primate species densities for morning and evening count. The result indicated less activity in the evening for all the 3 primate species in the study area. The mean encounter rate for Baboon were 1.15 km-1 (n=110) and 0.71 km-1 (n= 68) individual animals for morning and evening sightings respectively. Similar results were obtained for the density estimate of both Tantalus and Patas monkey. The relative density for the three primate species across the four ranges in the reserve revealed that Baboon was not recorded in Balda range and only 2 individuals sighted in Jeltere. Kwada and yuwe ranges had the highest abundance of 119 and 57 individuals sighted respectively. The population structure showed declining trend as number of juveniles was relatively lower than adult population. However, the relatively higher percentage of female adults may result in population growth, if majority of them are within the breeding age. The diversity of primates in Sambisa Game Reserve is distributed throughout the reserve within a wide range of habitat types. The highest numbers of primate species were found in the centre of the reserve (Kwada and Yuwe) where habitat disturbances were controlled.

Floristic studies are fundamental for the applied sciences such as rangeland management and conservation. Unique ecological and climatic conditions in the Tang Soulak Protected Area make it a remarkable habitat for the floristic studies. The purpose of this study was to determine floristic composition and their chorology carrying a central importance in vegetation description and analysis. Therefore, 50 quadrats (100 m2) were located according to the nature of vegetation. The species and their abundance-dominance were recorded. 70 plant species, belonging to 21 families, were identified. Plant classification, based on Raunkiaer’s life forms revealed Hemicryptophytes as the most abundant (46% of total) species. Therophytes, Phanerophytes and Chamaephytes contained 26, 12 and 4 percents of total plant species, respectively. Chorological characteristics of the plant species showed, about 66% of the total plant species in Tang Soulak area were belonged to the Irano-Turanian Chorotype.

This research was carried out from March 2014 to late August 2014 in Tang Soulak protected area in the Kohgiloye - Boyer Ahmad Province, I. R. Iran. The method used in this study was based on radius point counts. In the study area, 27 terrestrial bird species were identified. According to the “Margalef Index”, the most biodiversity richness was observed in May (3.12) and the least richness in March (2.92). According to “Menhink Index”, the most richness was seen in March (0.53) and the least in July and August (0.44).According to “Simpson Index”, the max. Biodiversity richness was in April (0.793) and the min. biodiversity was in March (0.699). According to“Shanon-viner Index” the max. Biodiversity richness was observed in April (3.396) and the min. biodiversity in March (2.892). According to “Simpson Index” the most uniformity was in April (0.193) and the least uniformity was in May and March (0.144). The diversity of species uniformity indices indicate a high habitat quality around “Tang Soulak protected area” area and status of good conditions for birds which should be considered in the management issues.

The paper seeks to investigate the risk factor associated with indoor air pollution in low income households. Cooking with traditional fuels leads to high levels of indoor air pollution expose of which increase the risk of various health problems health problems. The present study is based on the collect information on socio-economic condition, types of chulla used, its location, types of fuel, fuel sources and health consequences in the rural area of Muzaffarnagar and Bagpat district of Uttar Pradesh. The study provides the overview of the relation between indoor air pollution (IPA), traditional cooking stove, fuel used, literacy, health and economic well being. The result shows that most of income households were using traditional fuels and stoves, cooking in multipurpose room and veranda in poorly ventilated cooking places and taking long hours for cooking. The study points to the need of creating awareness amongst low income households.

In India, the wastewater at large from distilleries is known as spent wash, which is highly acidic in nature. In India 2004, distillery industry number has gone up to 319, producing 3.25x109 l of alcohol and generating 40.4x1010 l of wastewater annually (Uppal, 2004). Because of using large quantities of water in distillery industries it is essential to treat and reuse their waste water. In the most of time the discharge standards applied for distilleries are often too tough and below the level that can be achieved with appropriate biological treatment technologies (Pant and Adholeya, 2007a,b). In distillery industry, the production and characteristics of spent wash is highly variable and dependent on feed stocks and various aspects of the ethanol production process. The molasses spent wash (MSW) is a potential water pollutant in two ways. First, the highly coloured nature of MSW can block out sun light from rivers and streams thus reducing oxygenation of the water by photosynthesis and hence becomes injurious to aquatic life. Secondly, it has a high pollution load which would result in eutrophication of contaminated water sources (FitzGibbon et al., 1998). The first reason is due to the presence of water soluble recalcitrant colouring compound called melanoidin (Evershed et al., 1997). Melanoidin are dark brown to black coloured natural condensation product of sugar and amino acids produced by nonenzymatic browning reactions called maillard reactions (Plavsic et al., 2006). Ohmomo et al. (1988a) concluded that microbial decolourization of melanoidin is due to two decomposition mechanisms; in the first the smaller molecular weight melanoidin are attacked and in the second the larger molecular weight melanoidin are attacked. Satyawali and Balakrishnan (2008 a b) have investigated that the degradation of low molecular weight compound occurred in the membrane bioreactor (MBR) while the higher molecular weight compounds comprising the colour imparting melanoidin remained unaffected. As melanoidins are recalcitrant to biodegradation, the elimination of colored effluents in molasses-based distillery wastewater treatment system is mainly based on physical or chemical procedures such as adsorption, coagulation, precipitation, and oxidation. Although these methods are effective, they suffer from such short coming as requiring high reagent dosage, high cost, and formation of hazardous byproducts and intensive energy consumption.