ASSESSMENT OF THE POTENTIALS OF BOTANICAL GARDENS TO RECREATION AND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA PhD FINAL PROGRESS REPORT

Abstract

The study was carried out in three botanical gardens in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected from University of Ibadan Botanical Garden (UIBG) Oyo State, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Botanical Garden (LAUTECHBG), Oyo State and Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Sanctuary Initiative (LUFASI) Nature Park, Lekki, Lagos State. Raunkier life-form scheme was used to classify plant on the basis of their forms. Three 25×25m2 plots of the different segments of the natural forests/conserved forest of the botanical gardens were assessed for indices of productivity of the plant community of each garden. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index was used to quantify species richness and abundance within gardens. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire, Oral interview and On-site observation, while secondary data were obtained from garden records. A total of 770 questionnaires were randomly administered to visitors and non-visitors at the three sites. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 21) and results were presented using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square and Person correlation). A total of 242 plant species in 66 families were recorded in the collections of the three gardens. Moraceae with 21 species was the most diverse and the Euphorbiaceae with 20 species respectively. A total of 27 families were represented with only one species in the gardens. Phanerophytes 73% (n=177) was the dominant group in the garden of the total number of plants recorded. Plant diversity index of the natural forests of the gardens was highest (3.42) at LUFASI, LAUTECHBG led in species richness with value of 199 over UI and LUFASI with 136 and 89 respectively. The woody tree abundance of the natural forests of the garden expressed as density was 1061.3/hectare2 in LAUTECHBG, 712/hectare2 in LUFASI and 573/hectare2 in UIBG. Native plants species collections account for 78.93% (n=191) in the garden. The rest were exotic and with the woody species that have established over a long period of time. Findings from the study revealed that majority of the respondents 98.7% were Nigerian, male (55%) and the age range of respondents was between 15-24 years (65.1%). Furthermore, the study showed that majority of the visitors (66.4%) were aware of the recreation and tourism potential of botanical gardens. The visitors also claimed tourism development in botanical gardens could enhance the inter relationships between plants, animals and humans. Also the non-visitors agreed that botanical gardens will enhance public reconnection with nature. Majority of the visitors (54%) were first time visitors while 46% were on a repeat visit. The result of the T-test reveals that there that there is a significant difference between the visitors and non- visitors’ level of awareness (r= 0.000; P<0.01) and perception (r= 0.001; P<0.01) of botanical garden for recreation and tourism development. The chi square test reveals that marital status (r= 0.000; P<0.01), religion (r= 0.000; P<0.01), education (r= 0.000; P<0.01), and occupation (r= 0.000; P<0.01) have significant relationship with their perception of botanical gardens for recreation and tourism development. Botanical garden has a key role in the development of tourism if properly and adequately managed. Conservation awareness should be carried out more vigorously and frequently to instill conservation ethics in both visitors and non-visitors to the gardens.