EFFECTS OF INDISCRIMINATE BUSH BURNING ON FOREST RESERVE

Abstract

Forests are important plant communities that consist of trees and other woody vegetation that performs life supporting functions on earth. This study examine the effect of indiscriminate bush burning on forests reserves in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. Bush burning has been a detriment to the environment and health of mankind. It involves the production of air pollutants, such as carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, hydrogen sulphide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, ozone and other oxidants. The study adopt the survey research design. The study concludes that bush burning is one of the challenging ‘man versus environment’ conflicts. Burning is embedded in the cultural values and traditional farming systems of some people.

 CHAPTER ONE

 INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Bush burning has been practiced in many parts of the world and has been accepted as an integral part of the traditional farming system (Hough, 2013).It is a commonly applied management tool in forest ecosystems worldwide (Turner et al., 2014). Fire is used for hunting, clearing of land for agriculture, maintaining grass lands, controlling pests and removing dry vegetation and crop residues to promote agricultural productivity (Hough, 2013). Bush fire is a part of the natural ecology in a number of countries (Liu et al., 2011). In managing grasslands, farmers often introduce burning to remove moribund and unpalatable grasses from previous growing season, to stimulate the re-growth of fresh herbage with higher nutrient content (Tainton and Mentis, 2014; Snyman, 2013). Burning is also believed to rid the grassland of parasitic insects and to prevent the encroachment of undesirable invasive species (Auid and Denham, 2016). However, Frequent and uncontrolled bush burning has become a major problem in most parts of the world today especially in the forest zones of developing countries (Hough 2013). Bush burning has contributed to deforestation with its attendant problems. Frequent bush burning is generally considered to have negative effects on biodiversity (Tramor and Woinarski, 2014, Bradstock et al. 2017 and Egunjobi 2011). Fire has been listed as a major threatening process for biodiversity (Robinson et al 2013). Frequent burning of bush has generally considered having negative effects on biodiversity (Trainor and Woinarski, 2014; Bradstock et al., 2017). Pyke et al. (2010) reported that fire can change plant communities by reducing dominance of some plants while enhancing the dominance of others. According to report by Paltridge and Latz (2009), as fire sensitive species are killed by fire, they are replaced by a more fire tolerant plants. A fire incident followed by a heavy rains six weeks later in Australia, was reported to have resulted in a mass of flowering annuals and seedlings shortly afterwards, and nearly a year later, species were recorded in the burnt area, of which were new to the site, whereas the unburnt area showed no such effects (Gill, 2016). Study on the effect of Fire on weed species in Kebbi state, Nigeria showed the disappearance of some species such as Panicum laetum, Cyperus rotundus, Ipomea cylindrica and Tridax procumbens, with an increase in population density of broad leaf species that were erect with woody stems, Whereas C. rotundus and Imperata cylindrica recorded the highest density in unburnt plots (Birnin –Yauri and Aliero, 2008). Akinsoji (2013), in comparing burnt and unburnt plots at Olokemeji Forest Reserve, reported lowest diversity index, changes in vegetation types as well as dominance of some trees in burnt plots, whereas the unburnt plots had highest diversity index and presence of more fire sensitive species. Gandiwa (2011), following a similar study in Bulawiyo, Nigeria reported that there were significant differences in plant density, number of species per plot and number per plant in woody plant between burnt and unburnt sites. According to Preece (2019) the effect of a particular fire on an individual species depends on the intensity and duration of fire, the pre- fire condition of the biota, the period since the last fire occur and the pre- and post-weather especially rainfall which influences soil moisture. Morrison et al. (2015) further reported that the effect of fire frequency on plant communities depends on three variables namely the length of interfere interval, the variability of interfere interval and the time since the most recent fire. Robinson et al (2013), in their report stated that fire sensitive species are destroyed by fire and can become locally extinct if fire is too frequent or too intense. However, Trollope and Tainton (2016) reported that fire intensity had no significant effect on grass sward. Forest reserves are areas of forest designated by the government for the protection of trees growing or planted for the purpose of their ecological benefits among others (Usman and Adefalu, 2010). Forest reserves are areas of land that are protected and managed in order to preserve a particular type of habitat and its flora and fauna which are often considered rare or endangered (Farlex, 2014). Forest reserves are thus areas of forests which are reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research. Governments especially in semi-arid regions of the world designate areas of forests as forest reserves to stimulate rainfall, reduce wind erosion, stem the tide of desertification and halt the encroachment of the desert. Therefore in many countries forest reserves enjoy judicial and/or constitutional protection under a legal system. According to Garg et al., (2016), forests are the next most important resources of nature on earth after air and water. They essentially support life on earth by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, thereby maintaining balance in the gaseous atmosphere and also in completion of hydrological cycle to cause rainfall. Forests are sources of food, medicine, timber and many other products. They play protective roles against soil erosion, drought, floods, intense radiation etc. Forest also performs accessory functions which include the role of forests in recreation, aesthetics and as habitat of diverse wild life (Anjaneyulu, 2015).

• STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Culturally, bush burning is a practice in most developing nations including Nigeria at the unset of planting season up to the middle of dry season. As more land is being cleared and prepared for cropping annually, bush burning has become the easiest and most convenient method quite often employed in agricultural practices as well as in environmental management. In many areas, the attitude changed to one of total burning (wildfire) and this becomes a major cause of depletion of nutrient status (Isah and Adegeye, 2002). This necessitates a research of this kind to ascertain the effect of such localized burnings and fires on the forest reserve.

• OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The study has one main objective which is divided into general and specific objective; the general objective is to examine the effect of indiscriminate bush burning on forest reserve; the specific objective are;

1. To examine the effect of bush burning on afforestation in Nigeria
2. To examine the relationship between bush burning and plant diversity in Nigeria

• To examine the role of bush burning in reduction of forest reserve in Nigeria

1. To examine the role of government in combatting deforestation
   • RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

1. Does bush burning have any effect on afforestation in Nigeria?
2. Is there any significant relationship between bush burning and plant diversity in Nigeria?

• Does bush burning play any role in reduction of forest reserve in Nigeria?

1. Does government play any role in combatting deforestation?
   • RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following research questions were formulated by the researcher to aid the completion of the study;

H₀: There is no significant relationship between bush burning and plant diversity in Nigeria

H₁: There is a significant relationship between bush burning and plant diversity in Nigeria

H₀: Bush burning does not play any role in reduction of forest reserve in Nigeria

H₀: Bush burning does not play a role in reduction of forest reserve in Nigeria

H₂: Bush burning does play a role in reduction of forest reserve in Nigeria

• SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

It is believed that at the completion of the study the findings will be of great importance to the management of federal ministry of agriculture as the findings of the study will aid in policy formation that will help in curbing deforestation and bush burning. The study will also be of great importance to researcher who intend to embark on study on a similar topic as the findings of study will serve as a reference point to further study. Finally the study will be of importance to student, teachers, academia’s, lectures and the general public as the findings will add to the pool of existing literature and also contribute to knowledge on the subject matter.

 

• SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study covers the effect of indiscrimination bush burning on forest reserve with emphasis on Niger state Nigeria. But in the course of the study, there are some factors that limit the scope of the study;

1. a) AVAILABILITY OF RESEARCH MATERIAL: The research material available to the researcher is insufficient, thereby limiting the study.
2. b) TIME: The time frame allocated to the study does not enhance wider        coverage as the researcher has to combine other academic activities        and examinations with the study.
3. c) FINANCE: The finance available for the research work does not allow for wider coverage as resources are very limited as the        researcher has other academic bills to cover.

1.8 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION OF TERMS

Bush burning

Bush burning is the removal of the natural vegetation cover that protects the soil surface through the use of fire. This exposes the land to the effect of wind, water erosion and ultraviolet radiation.

Forest

A forest is an area of land dominated by trees. Hundreds of definitions of forest are used throughout the world, incorporating factors such as tree density, tree height, land use, legal standing and ecological function

Forest reserve

An area of forest set aside and preserved by the government as a wilderness, national park, or the like.

1.9 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

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