IUCN Management Category I and IX (Strict Nature Reserve and Biosphere Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 3.01.01 (Guinean Rain Forest)

Geographical Location North of Oshokum, 4km from Etemi village in the Ijebu-west Division of Ogun State. The strict nature reserve lies within Omo Forest Reserve. 6°30'N, 4°15'E.

Date and History of Establishment Established as a strict natural reserve in 1949. Approved as a Biosphere Reserve in January 1977.

Area 460ha (strict natural reserve)

Land Tenure State

Altitude 100m

Physical Features The land is highest in the west and slopes gently towards the south and east, becoming fairly flat on the banks of the Omo River. The geological strata consist of crystalline rocks of undifferentiated basement complex. Soil is heavy clay formed from weathered granite, except where thick alluvium has been laid down by the river on its banks. There are many small streams, which fill with water during the rainy season, but are dry in the dry season. The mean annual rainfall is 2030mm.

Climate No information

Vegetation The reserve lies in the moist lowland evergreen forest zone. The forest is mainly open with common species including: Diospyros spp., Strombosia pustulata, Scottellia coriacea, Octolobus angustatus, Corynanthes pachyceras, Canthium vulgare, Terminalia superba, Hunteria umbellata, Xylopia aethiopica, Ficus spp., Funtumia elastica, Drypetes spp., Cola spp., and Khaya ivorensis. Sterculia rhinopetala is locally abundant. Most of the western area is broken forest. There are several Uvaria spp. tangles with isolated trees, usually Terminalia superbai Nauclea diderrichii, Strombosia pustulata, Canthium vulgare, Cordia millenii and Funtumia elastica, rising above the general level. Areas of good, high forest include: Nauclea diderrichii, Brachystegia nigerica, Scottellia coriacea, Khaya ivorensis, Canthium vulgare, and Strombosia pustulata. Where light penetrates, clumps of seedlings occur. Common regenerating species are Drypetes spp., Octolobus spp., Cola spp., Sterculia rhinopetala, Buchholzia coriacea, Brachystegia nigerica, Guibourtia ehie, Musanga spp., and Diospyros spp. Anthonotha macrophylla, Grewia coriacea, and Spondianthus preussii are common in the marshy areas.

Fauna Common mammals include elephant Loxodonta africana (T), duikers Cephalophus spp, antelopes and warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus. The red-bellied monkey Cercopithecus erythrogaster is also present.

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population No information

Visitors and Visitor Facilities No information

Scientific Research and Facilities The Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria have carried out a biological inventory in the area and visiting scientists from overseas have studied the ecology. MAB Projects 1 and 2 include productivity and regeneration studies.

No information

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management Protection against all forms of exploitation is provided under the Forest Reserves Act.

Central core (strict natural reserve) surrounded by buffer zone (forest reserve).

The core area is still largely undisturbed. Very little is known about the past history of the area, but an old hauling road from Etemi to Etemi Odo indicates former exploitation.

Management Constraints There is a settlement of about 10 people 30km from the reserve. Traces of carbide powder used by hunters can usually be found within the buffer zones and along the reserve boundaries. The new main road from Shagamu to Benin (A121) passes through the forest reserve. Gmelina spp. plantations are replacing rain forest in the forest reserve which threatens the effectiveness of the strict natural reserve.

Staff Five assigned to maintenance and two to research

Budget No information

Local Addresses

The Director, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, PMB 5054, Ibadan.

References

No information

Date 1981