Environment and Forestry

There is a depletion of Vitellaria paradoxa populations mainly due to agricultural encroachment, seasonal fires and over exploitation notwithstanding its numerous benefits. This has affected natural regeneration and altered population structure of the species. The objectives of the study were 1) to determine the density of regeneration, saplings and mature V. paradoxa under different land use types 2) to determine stand structure of V. paradoxa under various land use types and 3) to compare the population structure of saplings and mature trees. Fifteen plots each of 20*20m were established using systematic random sampling in different land use types: Cultivated fields, fallow land and virgin land for the measurement of tree heights, diameters and number of individuals. Fallow land recorded higher regeneration and saplings density compared to the other land uses. Mature V. paradoxa was dominant in cultivated land. Fallow land had more stable population with better regeneration compared to cultivated land and virgin land. Height of regeneration in cultivated land was significantly different (p?0.05) compared to the other land use types. There was no significant difference between saplings stand structure. Mature Vitellaria paradoxa stand structure in cultivated fields was significantly different (p?0.05) compared to the other land use types. This study confirms that different land use types influence the population structure of Vitellaria paradoxa and there is anthropic selection.