Description of Research Project

Genetic Variation of Mansonia altissima and Triplochiton scleroxylon under different anthropogenic impacts in Akure Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Forests constitute one of the principal renewable natural resources of mankind. In the past few decades, the forest area has been reduced as a result of deforestation especially in tropical countries. International concern has become concentrated on conservation especially in the tropical forests because of their richness in biodiversity. Although studies had been carried out on the impacts of deforestation on the tree species diversity, knowledge is scarce about the extent to which different forms of human impact have affected the genetic structure of tree species. However, the information provided by such studies could help foresters to develop sound strategies for their conservation and use. The present project serves to investigate the structure of genetic variation of two tree species, namely: Mansonia altissima, Triplochiton scleroxylon and Sterculia rhinopetala, each under different human influence in Nigeria. Leaf samples of the trees were collected from logged forest plots, fragmented plots and forest plots where there has been no form of human impact. DNA samples were extracted from these leaves and AFLP technique was used to analyse the genetic structure of the tree population to characterize the genetic differences and the changes in genetic variation.