Eco-distribution of Vitellaria paradoxa (G.F. Gaertn) in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The conservation status of Vitellaria paradoxa in Kwara state was studied. The frequency ranged from 20% at Offa and Ilofa to100% at Jebba and Kaiama, as the shea tree occurred twice in the ten sampling points at Offa and Ilofa, but occurred in all sampled sites at Jebba and Kaiama. The highest tree mean density of 34 trees/ha was noted at Kaiama and the lowest at Offa 4 trees/ha. The overall mean densities of the species was 13.33 trees/ha. These show that Vitellaria paradoxa trees were more conserved towards the Northern part of the state than the Southern part. The majority of the trees were between (21-30 cm) diameter class, which indicated that they were saplings and very few were around (<10 cm) diameter class. The results showed low population of seedlings in the state, especially at the Northern part of the state. This might be due to trees’ removal for farming activities, uncontrolled incessant bush burning and trampling by grazing live stocks in the areas.