Abstract:
Sacred sites are meeting points for biodiversity and religio-cultural history of people. Till date, there have been very few studies on the floristic composition of these sites especially considering the fact that urbanization and the eroding of traditional taboos have become major threats to sacred sites. This study was carried out to assess the floristic composition of Osun Osogbo and Igbo Olodumare sacred sites in Southwestern, Nigeria by identifying flora species, assessing structural composition as well as identifying the traditional beliefs attached to these sites.
The two sacred sites were purposively selected for this research. At Osun Osogbo, temporary sample plots of 25m by 25m were laid at an interval of 50m to assess tree species resulting in a sample area of 125m2. Temporary sub-plots of 5m by 5m were laid to assess understory vegetation. Due to the very rocky terrain of Igbo Olodumare, plotless sampling method with Point Centre Quarter (PCQ) was used. The PCQ was thrown at an interval of 20 metres resulting in 15 sample points. Temporary sub-plots of 2m by 2m were laid to assess understory vegetation. The diameter at breast height (DBH) of the tree species were taken at 1metre height and only trees with dbh ≥ 10cm were assessed at both sites. Personal interviews were also conducted at both sites to assess the beliefs and taboos attached to the sacred site. The result showed that 37 families were assessed in Igbo Olodumare Sacred Site while 28 families were assessed in Osun Osogbo Sacred Sites. 73 and 70 tree species were encountered at Igbo Olodumare and Osun Osogbo respectively. Sterculiaceae and Leguminosae families dominated Igbo Olodumare and Osun Osogbo sacred sites respectively. Osun-Osogbo (3.78) had a higher species diversity index than Igbo Olodumare (3.23). The personal interviews also revealed that both sites are believed by the people to be the homes of deities and spirits, worship places and that they possess supernatural healing and protective powers. It is amply clear that myths and beliefs associated with the sacred groves which used to be followed strictly in earlier days, have been eroded during the last few decades and the groves no longer enjoy the same status and privilege as they used to in the past. Therefore, urgent interventions are required for the conservation of these forests.
