This study assesses the performances of forest personnel in Akwa Ibom State in meeting their target revenue for the state using qualitative and quantitative approaches. The primary data were obtained using a structured questionnaire, oral interviews, and direct observation, while the secondary data were obtained from all the 31 Divisions and the Directorate of Forestry in Akwa Ibom State. Data collected were analyzed using the descriptive and stochastic frontier analysis to assess efficiency The results obtained showed that the majority of the respondents were male (59.50%), in their economically active and productive age bracket (50.41), attended tertiary education (79.33%), were married (69.42%), had a family size of fewer than 5 members (71.90%), and received a monthly income of ₦41,000 - ₦50,000 (42.15%). Also, the majority of the respondents had been in service for 11 – 15 years (30.23%), resided in their stations (72.09%), and received various forms of in-training (65.12%) to enhance their effectiveness or performance. Most of the Uniformed Field staff patrolled their divisions daily with their superior visiting their divisions more than once a month. The majority (53.84%) of the Forest Officers had less than 10 years' experience and their technical efficiency ranged from 0.35 to 0.97. The study, therefore, recommends that a more conducive working environment should be provided for the forest personnel to be able to optimize their performances which would translate to increased revenue generation for the state.

Abstract:Measuring the efficiency of a national park is difficult due to, among other factors, the heterogeneity of resources supplied (e.g., budget, staffs) and outcomes expected (e.g., income, visitors' flow). While this is an issue in protected area management, it has been approached successfully in other fields by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). DEA has a number of advantages over other techniques as it simultaneously uses multiple heterogeneous inputs and outputs to determine which projects are performing most efficiently, referred to as being at the efficiency frontier, when compared to others in the data set. This study therefore uses DEA for the evaluation of management efficiency in Old Oyo National Park for the period of 2001-2015. The results showed that the park was efficient for 11 and 13 years, respectively, in terms of its overall technical and pure technical efficiency with a mean scale efficiency of 97%. Also, the park operated at 80% of its productive scale size. These results, and the use of DEA, highlight both the success of using this technique in helping determine protected area efficiency and those factors to consider while allocating resources for new projects at the park.

This study ascertained the profitability and determining factors influencing firewood marketing in Uyo Capital City. The study used structured questionnaires and interview schedules to collect its data. The questionnaires were randomly administered to 75 firewood traders in the markets (Itam market, Akpan Andem market and Afaha market) being 67% of the population frame. Data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics, budgetary technique, profitability analysis and regression analysis. The result showed that majority of the respondents were female (92%), were above 30 years of age (83%), were literate (93%), married (73%) and had a household size of 1-5 persons (53%). Also, majority of the traders (72%) had been in the trade for more than 10 years, were engaged at full-time (76%) basis, 63% belonged to an association, started the trade with their personal funds (88%). The trade was profitable with a mean income of $94 (₦34105.20) monthly. The regression coefficient (R 2) indicated that the income determinants accounted for 56.5% of the variations in the receipts from firewood sales. Mode of engagement and scale of operation had significant and positive effect on revenue (p<0.05), while household size was negative and significant (p<0.10), Educational status, age of trader and cost incurred was positive and significant (p<0.01) respectively. Majority of the firewood (84%) traded in the study area was bought from Ibiono and the most species commonly traded was from the family Fabaceae, while the species Dactyladenia barteri (Hook.f. ex Oliv.) was the most traded as firewood in the study area. The study recommends evaluation of the production and regeneration of the firewood species especially Dactyladenia barteri (Hook.f. ex Oliv.) under different management regimes across the state and in particular Ibiono, which serve as the major source of firewood for Uyo Capital City.

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The study empirically assessed the interactions between the Itu wetland resource of Akwa Ibom State and the livelihoods of the communities within it. A two-stage sampling method involving purposive sampling of 30% (6 communities) based on proximity to the resource and random selection of 30 households from the selected communities was utilized. In addition, 118 respondents were sampled using a semi-structured questionnaire. The outcome of the samples' demographic characteristics and interaction with the wetland in terms of Level, frequency, time, and quantity of products utilized were presented using non-inferential statistics such as percentages, frequency, tables, and bar charts. Determinants influencing the utilization of the wetland by respondents were estimated with the aid of regression and ordinary least squares. Utilization of the Itu wetland was significantly (p<0.01) influenced by age (-0.0000508), educational status (-0.0000103), size of household population (-0.0002766), and distance from the wetland (-0.0001915). The study provides a critical stance for the conservation of the Itu wetland and a long-term plan for the inclusion of its local communities in its management as a critical strategy for ensuring its survival, sustainability, and integrity.

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This study was aimed at assessing the diversity and population of plants species in Ikot Efre Itak Community forest in Nigeria. A total of 59 plant species were identified in the study area comprising 33 tree species, 12 shrub, 7 herbs, 34 climbers and 3 palms species. Mimusops heckelii and Canarium schweinfurthii, had the highest tree population density of 16 and 12 individual/0.6 ha respectively, all other tree species has a density of less than 10 individual/ha. In the shrub category, Bambusia vulgaris had the highest shrub population density with 31 individual/0.6 ha. Also, Costus afar and Hippocratea africana had the highest density of 53/0.6 ha and 11/0.6 ha respectively in the herb category. The result further shows that Ancistrophyllum secondiflorum had the highest population density of 23 in the palm category. Given the high rate of forest destruction in the country, there is need for to ensure sustainable conservation of the forest area to avoid further destruction by provision of alternative means of livelihood for the local population to reduce their dependence on these forest.