Endangered Trees, Herbs and Shrubs in Nigeria, Why They Are Endangered and Conservation Approaches

Abstract

Plants are crucial to the life of man as agents of primary production. Man relies on them for food, shelter and medication. As human population is increasing more pressure is put on the forest and forest products. There is massive felling of trees for farmland expansion, urbanization and domestic use of firewood as source of energy for heating and cooking. This enormous pressure makes some species to become endangered with some disappearing from the globe totally (extinction).   The level of exploitation of plant resources is becoming bigger than production.  This article highlights some ways that could be followed to conserve the endangered species from total extinction. Some of the conservational approaches include knowledge creation and awareness, provision of alternative sources of energy, value adding to local forest products, massive afforestation, plant tissue culture to increase production and improve upon the existing species by adding some desirable qualities, Government policies and laws to restrict bush burning and indiscriminate cutting down of trees, agroforestry practices to save trees at the same time produce food.