INFLUENCE OF TOURISTIFICATION ON PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF OKOMU NATIONAL PARK, NIGERIA

• O.E. Olaniyi

  Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Corresponding e-mail: oeolaniyi Phone: +2348038555487

  Author

Woody vegetation clearance remains a major and the most conspicuous indicator of the ecotourism developmental process. The study determined the impact of ecotourism infrastructural development on the phytosociological composition and structure of the ecotourism hotspots in Okomu National Park, Southwest Nigeria. Plot method and control/impact approach were employed to assess inventory of the vegetation in order to estimate the biodiversity indices of the trees. One hundred and sixty-one and four hundred and eighty-four individual woody trees belonging to forty-five and seventy-one different species were observed in the ecotourism builtup and control areas. The phytosociological characteristics, biodiversity indices and floristic dissimilarity indices showed tree structure in between the ecotourism built-up and control areas differed significantly (P ≤ 0.05). All the selected ecotourism attractions and support facilities had a significant effect on the species composition, vertical strata and connectivity of the forest canopy cover. Therefore, forest enrichment programs, staff development and green technology are recommended to mitigate the negative impact of human-induced activities in the ecotourism hotspots placement, design and maintenance.

1. O.E. Olaniyi, Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Corresponding e-mail: oeolaniyi Phone: +2348038555487

   Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria Corresponding e-mail: oeolaniyi Phone: +2348038555487

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