A comparative analysis on the availability of different deadwood in Yankari game reserve of Bauchi state, Nigeria

Abstract

Deadwood is a habitat of great importance for many species of woodland systems. It is vital, through its influence on biological, physical and chemical process. It also, plays a role in nutrients cycling and soil stability. The amount of deadwood, particularly as coarse woody debris (stumps, snags and fallen logs) in Yankari Game Reserve were examined. Existing levels of deadwood in the reserve were assessed to provide a basis for what might be considered high or low amounts of deadwood. Coarse woody debris drive from line-intersect sampling were collected from six zones of the reserve i.e mixed woodland, Afzelia woodland, combretum woodland, detarium woodland, Gaji River complex and annogeissus woodland. The values obtained of mean volume of coarse woody debris ranged from 32.44m3/h-110.24m3/h. The frequencies of coarse woody debris ranged from 10-44. The number of species of coarse woody debris in the sites ranged from 2-35. From the analysis of variance (anova) of abundance of coarse woody debris and the analysis of mean volume of coarse woody debris reveals that there is significant difference (P<0.05) in the means. The results of the research shows availability of deadwood and this will support organisms that depends on deadwood and play other roles in woodland systems.