Drivers of Biodiversity Conservation in Sacred Groves: A Comparative Study of Three Sacred Groves in Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, sacred groves represent a traditional form of community-based conservation, recognized as areas of cultural and religious importance to local people. In some cases, the entire community guards against the desecration of, or unauthorized access to, such sites, either by its members or outsiders; in others, non-recognition of customary rights is linked to degradation. This paper uses the case study of three sacred groves in southwest Nigeria to examine the extent to which perceived socio-economic and religio-cultural benefits contribute to biodiversity conservation in sacred groves with different scales of governance. Using mixed methods approaches, we found that the long-term preservation of sacred groves and their biodiversity depend on collaboration between: i.) customary institutions (community-based conservation through a system of established traditional norms and prohibitions), and ii.) formal government legislation and management. The recognition of sacred groves as national monuments and UNESCO World Heritage Site has paved the way for biodiversity protection, increasing cultural tourism, socio-economic rewards and the preservation of religio-cultural values. We present local peoples' assessments of the benefits of sacred groves and offer suggestions to improve community engagement and protect the biodiversity within sacred groves in Nigeria.

Conservation Potentials, Tree Species Diversity, Distribution and Structure of Sacred Groves in South-Western Nigeria

“…Religious beliefs and taboos were central to the protection of sacred groves in India, which led to increase in tree species diversity (Khan et al 2008, Sundarapandian & Subbiah 2015. The good conservation status of most sacred groves in this study is attributed to the fact that indigenous communities consider the groves as the home of deities, place of worship and cultural site and festivals, and consequently refrained from destroying them, which is similar to the situation in Tanzania (Adeyanju 2020, Onyekwelu 2021, Mgumia & Oba 2003. In a previous study, Onyekwelu and Olusola (2014) attributed the low species diversity in Igbo-Olodumare grove to its "low sacredness" since only 5% of community dwellers consider the grove as the home of deity and place of worship, which may have led to encroachments.…”

“…Khan et al (2008) reported large sacred groves of up to 26,326 ha. Encroachment was observed to be minimal in the sacred groves, which can be attributed to the effectiveness of the taboos, local laws, customs and regulations used in their management, in addition to the prohibition or highly regulated access (Borokini 2016, Adeyanju 2020. Due to respect and fear of the taboos and deities, people usually keep away from the sacred groves, and thus refrain from felling trees within the site (Onyekwelu & Olusola 2014).…”

“…The slight reductions in biodiversity indices of Osun-Osogbo compared to an earlier study may be connected with some emerging practices at the grove (Onyekwelu & Olusola 2014). Due to the high influx of people into Osun-Osogbo grove during the annual Osun and other festivals, understory species are sometimes trampled upon (Adeyanju 2020). Oftentimes, rituals and sacrifices may involve ground clearing and ground fires by the priests and visiting devotees.…”

“…The practice of sacred groves is still prevalent and relevant in many parts of south-western Nigeria. Sacred groves adorn almost every village in south-western Nigeria, which explains why they are seen as symbols of identity for most of the Yoruba people in Nigeria (Adeyanju 2020). However, they are faced with myriads of challenges that are threatening their continued existence (Onyekwelu 2021).…”

Woody Species Diversity, Composition, and Regeneration Status of Abbo Sacred Forest, Southern Ethiopia

“…Sacred forests are the remnant surviving forest patches that preserve indigenous and old-growth forest trees with cultural and/or religious importance to the local people [ 5 , 6 ]. Sacred forests are found in many countries all over the world and are particularly common in parts of Asia and Africa [ 7 ]. Sacred forests are playing a significant role in biodiversity conservation and combating climate change [ 8 ] since exploitation is relatively prohibited due to spiritual and cultural taboos and rules and customs.…”