In Nigeria, human communities are found within or beside forest ecosystems, depending on these ecosystems for survival. Their forest exploitation is considered a threat to conservation efforts, leading to constant conflicts between Government, law enforcement agencies and the communities. The best solution is a win-win system of participatory community-based forest resources management, in which the communities are regarded as stakeholders rather than as threats. This paper explains the adoption of this approach in Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, Mambilla Plateau, where the communities were trained in establishment and management of forest plantations with readily available market for their timber; employment for some of the community youths as well as community development projects. This paper calls for the adoption of this system in other protected areas in Nigeria, while the Government should provide basic amenities for the communities as alternatives to those forest products.
Aims: The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial activities of Ficus sycomorus leave extract on selected bacteria. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids, it also revealed the absence of glycoside. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology laboratory, Biological Sciences Department, Bingham University Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methodology: Plant extracts were prepared by boiling, soaking and methanol extraction. 96-well plates dilution method for determination of Minimum Inhibition Concentraction (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were carried out. Results: The MBC for Helicobacter pylori and Citrobacter freundii showed antimicrobial activities at 400 µl each. The plant has exhibited strong antimicrobial activity on Helicobacter pylori and Citrobacter freundii. Conclusion: The antimicrobial compounds produced by plant extracts are active against bacteria. It is expected that plant extracts showing target sites other than those used by antibiotics will be active against drug-resistant microorganisms.
This study was conducted to investigate the value perceptions of native tree species in urban landscape by three groups of environmental stakeholders -residents, estate developers and construction companies that reside in Abuja, the Nigeria's Federal Capital Territory. A Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) of landscape scale ecosystem functions and services valuation scenarios were used. A total of one hundred and eighty (180) sets of questionnaire were distributed equally among the three stakeholders (60 each) to ascertain their perceptions on the need to protect native tree species by asking them to rank eight reasons why the protection of native tree species is important in urban/city landscape. The reasons ranked were (i) Aesthetics and beautification of environment, (ii) Microclimatic and cooling effect, (iii) Windbreak, (iv) Erosion control, (v) Conservation of native Ihuma et al.; AJEE, 11(2): 1-10, 2019; Article no.AJEE.52829 2 tree species, (vi) Obstruction of view to enhance privacy (vii) Economic value of the species and, (viii) Any other reason. Results showed that Aesthetics and beautification of environment ranked first by a combination of all stakeholders, and also by Estate Developers alone, while Erosion control and Economic value of the species were ranked first by the Residents and the Construction Companies, respectively. Stakeholders' mean scores for Aesthetics & beautification of environment, Microclimatic & cooling effect, Conservation of native tree species, and Obstruction of view to enhance privacy, varied significantly (p < 0.05) while there was no significant differences in their mean scores for Windbreak, Erosion control, and Economic value of the species. The differences in the stakeholders' perception of the value of native trees as revealed by the rankings and significant differences in scores for some of the value criteria to a large extent underscore the values they place on them which in turn will influence their attitude towards the conservation and protection of the species. Therefore, the need for effective environmental education and enlightenment campaigns to sensitise all stakeholders on the overall values and roles of native trees in the city, is emphasized. Original Research Article
Aims: This work aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of the stem bark extracts of P. biglobosa on selected bacteria species, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Place and Duration of Study: Microbiology laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, Bingham University-Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Methodology: Plant extracts were made by boiling, soaking and methanol extraction, and the antimicrobial assay was performed using the disc and agar-well diffusion methods. Results: The results indicated all the extract exhibited antimicrobial properties. The highest potential activity was observed with the macerated extract with zones of inhibition at 12.5 mm and 6.5 mm against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively in the agar-well diffusion method while no active zone of inhibition was recorded in the disk diffusion method. It was noted that the macerated extract showed the highest MIC of 100 mg/ml with a zone of inhibition at 15.0 mm against S. aureus. Conclusion: The results obtained showed that the macerated extract of the plant possess the highest antimicrobial effect against S. aureus, and E. coli. Although observed potency of this extract in vitro, may not be translated to the same activity in vivo. However, the results confirmed the efficacy of the plant as a natural antimicrobial and can be further investigated for possible antimicrobial drug discovery.
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