Anthropogenic Footprints in the Amurum Forest Reserve and the Jos Wildlife Park, Jos Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Protected areas are constantly under anthropogenic threats especially those in close proximity to human settlements thus, it is highly important to regularly monitor human footprints (activities) within such areas in order to ensure the existence of the species they are meant to protect. Hence, this study identified and compared the anthropogenic footprints in the Jos Wildlife Park and Amurum Forest Reserve and sort linkages with some management strategies and challenges in the two reserves. Data was collected using a total of 40 quadrates of sizes 50 x 50 m placed systematically at a minimum distance of 50 m in each habitat. 20 of the quadrates were placed at the core and 20 at the edge of each study habitat. Anthropogenic activities were then examined in each habitat. Identified anthropogenic footprints include logging, firewood collection, mining, burning, residential encroachment, grazing, farmland, indiscriminate defeacation, waste dumping, road encroachment and play ground. Of these, mining, waste dumping and play ground were not recorded in the Amurum Forest Reserve. Anthropogenic footprints were significantly higher in terms of both type and level within the Jos Wildlife Park as compared to the Amurum Forest Reserve (P<0.05). Footprints were recorded more at the edge of the Amurum Forest reserve as compared to its core (P<0.05) but equally at both core and edge for the Jos Wildlife Park (P>0.05). Inadequate management strategies, funding, poor staff strength, and bureaucratic challenges were some of the possible reasons for the high level of anthropogenic activities observed in the Jos Wildlife Park.