Agroforestry systems for mitigating the problems of fuelwood scarcity int he Montane/Savanna ecosystems: A case study of Obudu Cattle Ranch, South-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

The study highlights the need for an agroforestry system that will reduce the problem of fuelwood scarcity in the Obudu Cattle Ranch settlement of Cross River State, South-Eastern Nigeria. Using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodology, general information on Local crop types, fuelwood species known to the people, their reasons for the preference of particular fuelwood species, the quantity extracted and who does the harvesting was collected. Qualitative and descriptive statistics such as matrix ranking techniques, simple proportions/percentages and tables were employed in the data analysis. Results show that integration of woody species with annual crops in agroforestry systems can enhance sustainability of production systems in the montane and savanna ecosystem under low input conditions. Agroforestry has short and long-term protective and socio-economic benefit and would go a long way in checking the problems of erosion, flooding, adverse change in ecology, decline in soil productivity, loss of useful species of organisms (plants and wildlife) and the gradual deterioration of the entire forest lands (deforestation). Stable indigenous and prototype agroforestry systems suitable for the regions are available. However, they need wider testing and use. Global Journal of Environmental Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 53-64