Morphological variations in Nigerian Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 populations in Guinea savannah agro-ecological zone

Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 is one of the most economically valuable insects which plays significant role in human medicine, nutrition and crop pollination. The morphometric variations of honeybee from different locations of the southern guinea and northern guinea savannah ecological zone of Nigeria were studied. Fifteen morphological traits were measured for variation on six hundred (600) worker honeybee samples purposively collected from ten different locations within the ecological zone. Data collected were subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), SNK test (α=0.05) and Pearson correlation between morphometric characters were determined. At the same time a dendrogram of morphological proximity based on the fifteen morphological features was constructed. Results showed that morphometry variation (p<0.05) existed within the honeybee population in the guinea savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria, high morphological similarities were observed in the tibia length of the hind leg and the thorax length. The honeybee samples were classified into two distinct morphoclusters (A and B). Honeybee samples within morphocluster A were closely related in terms of the examined morphometric features and geographic distance (CV=1.65). In contrast, within cluster B, honeybee samples were closely related despite the vast geographical distance (CV=3.30, p<0.05). The body length was significantly positively correlated with the leg size, while hind wing length was positively associated with the proboscis, abdominal, thoracic, body length and hooks. Morphometric variations found in A. mellifera of guinea agro-ecological zone could significantly impact conservation and future bee breeding programmes of Nigeria.

Aboveground forest biomass varies across continents, ecological zones and successional stages: refined IPCC default values for tropical and subtropical forests

For monitoring and reporting forest carbon stocks and fluxes, many countries in the tropics and subtropics rely on default values of forest aboveground biomass (AGB) from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Inventories. Default IPCC forest AGB values originated from 2006, and are relatively crude estimates of average values per continent and ecological zone. The 2006 default values were based on limited plot data available at the time, methods for their derivation were not fully clear, and no distinction between successional stages was made. As part of the 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for GHG Inventories, we updated the default AGB values for tropical and subtropical forests based on AGB data from >25,000 plots in natural forests and a global AGB map where no plot data were available. We calculated refined AGB default values per continent, ecological zone, and successional stage, and provided a measure of uncertainty. AGB in tropical and subtropical forests varies by an order of magnitude across continents, ecological zones, and successional stage. Our refined default values generally reflect the climatic gradients in the tropics, with more AGB in wetter areas. AGB is generally higher in old-growth than in secondary forests, and higher in older secondary (regrowth >20 years old and degraded/logged forests) than in young secondary forests (≤20 years old). While refined default values for tropical old-growth forest are largely similar to the previous 2006 default values, the new default values are 4.0 to 7.7-fold lower for young secondary forests. Thus, the refined values will strongly alter estimated carbon stocks and fluxes, and emphasize the critical importance of old-growth forest conservation. We provide a reproducible approach to facilitate future refinements and encourage targeted efforts to establish permanent plots in areas with data gaps.

Perceived Effect of COVID-19 on the Health of Charcoal Producers in the Guinea Savannah Agro-Ecological Zone of Nigeria

Charcoal producers ignored the health implications of the activity especially during the COVID-19 pandemic resulting in several health disorders. Thus, the study examined perceived effect of COVID-19 on the health of charcoal producers in the derived savannah agro-ecological zone of Nigeria. Data were collected through the use of structured interview scheduled. A total of 178 respondents were selected using multistage sampling technique. Data were analysed through the use of frequency, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics: chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study reveals that most of the respondents strongly agreed that they usually use local herbs to treat all ailments during COVID-19. More than 50% of them always experienced difficult breathing during COVID-19, and that high death were recorded than before COVID-19 pandemic, while 88.2% of the respondents perceived low level of the effect of COVID-19 on their health. In addition, more than 50% of them strongly agreed that COVID-19 does not exist at all, that it is a taboo, while shaking hands with customers/friends is a symbol of love and that they cannot do without touching both face and nose during COVID-19 pandemic respectively. However, 93.3% of the respondents did not comply with the COVID-19 preventive measures. The study concludes that charcoal producers did not believe in the existence of COVID-19 and this may be dangerous to their health. Hence, education awareness on the hazard of COVID-19 to the health of charcoal producers should be encouraged.

Problems of socioeconomic development of the districts of the central ecological zone of Lake Baikal in the Irkutsk Region, demographic and environmental factors

The article deals with the current demographic, economic, social, and environmental problems of three districts of the Irkutsk Region, which are part of the Central Ecological Zone of the Baikal Natural Territory. The study was conducted using statistical data from the Federal State Statistics Service, articles and monographs on the topic under consideration, data from sociological surveys, mass media, and information obtained during a scientific expedition to Lake Baikal, in which the author participated. The socio-economic development of municipalities within the boundaries of the Central Ecological Zone of Lake Baikal remains difficult due to environmental legislation that restricts the economic development of the territory. The inability to fully use land resources provokes the local population to migrate. Tourism is one of the few economic activities permitted in the coastal area of the Lake Baikal. Despite the growing number of tourists visiting the region every year, the weak level of economic diversification of the municipalities threatens the prospects for sustainable socio-economic development. The region risks losing most of its revenue in the event of political, economic, or epidemiological shocks. The development of other types of economic activities will contribute to the socio-economic security of the areas under consideration. This is also influenced by the demographic potential of the territory – the employment of local residents and the training of personnel will allow us to effectively implement alternative directions of economic development. It is also important to develop other types of economic activities in connection with the negative impact of tourists on the ecosystem of Lake Baikal. The revision of the approaches to the economic, social, and environmental policies carried out in the region is an urgent task today

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF YAM PROCESSING INTO YAM FLOUR IN SAKI AGRO ECOLOGICAL ZONE OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the economic analysis of yam processing into yam flour in Saki Agro ecological Zone of Oyo State. It specifically described the profitability of yam processing; examined the technical efficiency of yam processors and determined the effect of the socio-economic characteristics on technical efficiency. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, profitability and budgetary analysis as well as stochastic frontier model and Garrett scale. The study reveals that majority of the respondents were female (88%) with a mean age of 47. The result shows that the rate of return on investment was 12 percent. The mean technical efficiency of the processors was 85% indicating that the yam processors were relatively efficient in allocating their limited resources. Some observable variables relating to socioeconomic characteristics such as processing experience and sex of the respondents significantly explains the variation in technical efficiency. Factors such as high cost of yam tubers, poor weather condition and inadequate processing facilities are the major factors that hinder the processing activities in the study area. The study therefore recommends that government policies should be made to improve the provision of inputs such as yam tubers and capital equipment at affordable price.