article · Advanced Journal of Plant Biology
An ecological and social assessment in Garko, Gombe State, Nigeria, documented the composition and diversity of woody vegetation alongside local human pressures. Field sampling identified 33 woody species across 24 genera and nine families, consisting of 20 tree species and 13 shrub species. Fabaceae emerged as the dominant family, comprising 14 species. Among trees, Isoberlinia doka recorded the highest ecological significance, while Feretia apodonthera and Cassia tora led among shrubs. Tree species exhibited greater diversity than shrubs according to standard diversity indices. Community surveys and focus group discussions established that agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and fuelwood harvesting drive vegetation decline. Local participants noted direct impacts including shrinking tree cover, diminished fodder, and the loss of medicinal plants. Proposed measures to mitigate these threats include community-based forest management, grazing controls, logging restrictions, and the introduction of alternative livelihoods.
Woody vegetation in the Sudan Savanna provides essential ecosystem services, including livestock fodder and traditional medicinal plants. Documenting how land clearing, grazing, and wood collection deplete these resources gives local environmental planners and community leaders clear baseline evidence. This information helps direct targeted interventions, such as grazing controls and community-led conservation programmes, to protect rural livelihoods and arrest biodiversity loss.
The abstract does not indicate a commercial application pathway or product development opportunity, as the research is an early-stage ecological baseline and community appraisal. The findings are primarily relevant to environmental managers, conservation bodies, and local forestry authorities seeking to design regulated grazing schemes, community forest management programmes, or alternative livelihood initiatives.
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This study assessed the impact of anthropogenic activities on the composition and diversity of woody vegetation in Garko, Gombe State, Nigeria. Vegetation sampling was conducted using the Point-Centred Quarter (PCQ) method. In addition to floristic data, anthropogenic influences were evaluated through participatory rural appraisal (PRA) techniques, including direct observation, focus group discussions (10 participants each) were held with community leaders, farmers and women’s groups to validate findings, and interviews using semi-structured questionnaire surveys. A total of 33 woody species were recorded, comprising 20 tree species and 13 shrub species, belonging to 9 families and 24 genera. The family Fabaceae was the most represented (14 species), reflecting its ecological dominance in the Sudan Savanna. Importance Value Index (IVI) analysis for trees showed Isoberlinia doka (44.53%) as the most ecologically significant species, while shrubs showed Feretia apodonthera and Cassia tora (25.48%) had the highest values. Diversity indices indicated higher diversity among trees (Shannon H’ = 3.95; Simpson’s 1–D = 0.60) compared to shrubs (H’ = 2.70; 1–D = 0.50). Questionnaire and FGD results revealed that Agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and fuelwood collection were highlighted as the main anthropogenic activities in the Garko Forest Reserve. Respondents emphasised declining tree cover, loss of medicinal plants and reduced availability of fodder as consequences. The study concluded that anthropogenic pressures significantly threaten woody plant diversity in Garko. Strengthening conservation strategies such as community-based forest management, controlled grazing, enforcement of logging restrictions and promotion of alternative livelihoods is strongly recommended.
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DOI: 10.31248/ajpb2025.043
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