Quantitative and Species Analysis of Wood Sold in Major Commercial Fuelwood Depots in Fika Local Government Area, Yobe State

Abstract

This study was carried out to identify the quantities and species of trees being exploited, and sold in major commercial fuelwood depots in Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State. It focused on major commercial fuelwood Depots in Janga Siri, Janga Dole and Nahuta, all within Fika Local Government Areas of the state based on purposive selection as population sample. The methodology used for the data collection was consistent direct observation of number of fuelwood-laden pick-up trucks of known capacities, and identification of tree species they bear for fuelwood over a period of two weeks, while the cumulative weigh of each species was obtained by summation. The results obtained were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to compare the mean of the species of trees most preferred and the quantity of fuel wood extracted per species per location (Depots). Check list of species across depots was prepared to show species of fuel wood present or absent. It was observed that while Combremtum mollei of the family Combretaceae had the least harvest rate (4.2, Anogeisoussus leocarpus a member of the Annonaceae family had 228, thus, the most harvested. Preference for a lot of tree species felled daily for fuelwood in the study location is perhaps due to combustibility, availability or accessibility of such species.