BIOMASS, PRODUCTIVITY AND UTILIZATION OF RANGE PLANTS OUTSIDE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREAS IN BAUCHI STATE NIGERIA

Abstract

The biomass, productivity and utilization of the herb stratum was assessed in range-lands outside wildlife conservation areas in Alkaleri, Gombe’. Toro and Misau Local Government Areas of Bauchi State with Yankari National Park (YNP) as control. These parameters were investigated during dry and wet seasons between April 1988 and November 1990. The analysis of variance technique was employed in analyzing of design, while the randomized block design was used in the analysis of the data. In all the sites the biomass was higher in wet than dry season with values ranging from 250 – 831g/m2 and 105 – 706g/m2 respectively. The effect of sites was significant on productivity at 0.05 level of significance. The significance of the data on wild fauna production and on the wildlife resources conservation is discussed.