Ise Forest Reserve
Ise Forest Reserve is located in Ekiti State, southwestern Nigeria, covering 142 km2, 5° 20.804'E to 5° 25.331'E longitude and 7°21.069'N to 7° 25.579'N latitude in the tropical hemisphere.
The protected area is about 9 km to the southern part of the reserve along the Akure-Benin expressway from the Uso community in Ondo State.
[2][3] It is one of the priority conservation areas for the endangered Nigeria-Cameroun chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes Elliott) in Nigeria with a degrading forest environment.
[8] With a deteriorating forest ecosystem, it is one of Nigeria's top conservation priority places for the critically endangered Nigeria-Cameroun chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes ellioti).
Temperature fluctuations between months are relatively moderate, creating a climate that is generally warm and suitable for visitation throughout the year.
The rainy season spans from April to October, with September being the wettest month, receiving an average of 221 mm (8.7 inches) of rainfall.
[15] Some of the fauna species include primates like Mona monkey (Cercopithecus mona), Nigerian white-throated guenon (Cercopithecuserythogaster pococki), the Nigerian putty-nosed monkey (Cercopithecus nictitans nilotus), Red-capped mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus), Olive baboons (Papio anubis) and Nigeria-CameroonChimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti).
Some bird species, such as Cane rats, Bush Pigs, Insects, Grass cutter, Grasshopper, Bees, Cricket, Squirrel, African Black Kite, Ground Squirrel, Wart Hog, Bush Baby, Forest Hog, Water Buck, Cattle Egret, Duicker, Quail, Banana Bat, Quele Bird, Rodent, and Cerato gymnaelata's yellow-casqued hornbill [7] Nevertheless, excessive logging and land clearing for unauthorized marijuana cultivation pose a threat to the area.
Urbanization, the expansion of agricultural crop cultivation, residential construction, population growth, nonadic farming, and infrastructure development are all placing strain on Nigeria's forest resources.
[16] The largest threat to forests comes from the long-standing human practice of hunting larger species, such as chimpanzees, for food, bush meat for use in traditional medicines, ornament, or (to a lesser extent) for sport.
[17][18][19] Particularly in southwest Nigeria, logging has frequently been followed by the conversion of forest land to cultivation; where this occurs, chimpanzee habitat is permanently lost.
At the Ise Forest Reserve site, the timber sector is highly organized and receives covert assistance at all levels of government.
Nigeria's Ekiti state government has moved to establish a conservation area within the Ise Forest Reserve, an important step toward protecting the habitat of the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti) [20] The primary menace facing the Ise Forest Reserve is illegal logging, wherein individuals unlawfully chop down trees to obtain timber, subsequently selling it through illicit channels.
The ramifications are substantial, leading to deforestation and significant changes in the natural scenery, potentially resulting in lasting ecological effects.
Pesticides can eliminate insects and invertebrates crucial as food sources for birds and other creatures, while fertilizers can contaminate water bodies, harming fish and other aquatic life.
Despite the Nigerian government's ban on farming in the Ise Forest Reserve, enforcement remains challenging due to limited resources and personnel.
[citation needed] The intrusion of human settlements and activities is a significant factor contributing to deforestation in the Ise Forest Reserve.
[22] Rich in plant and animal diversity, including endangered species, the Ise Forest Reserve holds spiritual importance for the Yoruba people, who believe it is inhabited by spirits and deities, utilizing it for various religious practices.
[citation needed] However, this socio-ecological vitality faces multiple threats, such as deforestation, climate change, and encroachment by human activities.
Deforestation harms wildlife habitats and disrupts the water cycle, while climate change exacerbates these issues by intensifying heat and aridity.
