Effect of Domesticated Trees Stand Density on Avian Droppings and Growth of Zea mays (L) in Re-fragmented Attachi II Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Authors

  • Anselm E. Egwunatum Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
  • Ben C. Okonta Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Leticia C. Umeh Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
  • Nelly U. Ureigho Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Adeyemi Mohammed Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
  • Aghatha O. Menakitti Department of Research, Okomu National Park, Okomu, Edo State, Nigeria
  • Kosi F. Obiozor Department of Environmental Science & Resource Management, NOUN, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54536/ijfe.v2i1.6232

Keywords:

Avian Droppings, Calcium-Magnesium Ratios, Carbon-Nitrogen, Farm Landscapes, Soil Nutrients, Trees Stand Density

Abstract

Stand forest patches present interface with arboreal life forms for the unique fertility index associated with tropical soils. This study investigated two categories of farm landscapes that were primed at 3 forest trees stand densities- High (10-13), Medium (6-9), Low (3-5); and then None (zero) trees stand per acre as potential habitat traps for avian droppings in a randomized complete block experiment. Soil samples from 0-20cm were analyzed for pH, TN, AP, CEC, OC, OM, MC, C-N and Ca-Mg ratios and amended with harvested avian droppings for cropping Zea mays. Germination, average plant height and leaf areas at 1 and 4 WAP were taken and data collected subjected to analysis of variance while significant means separated with Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5%. Results revealed that the H-farm landscape had highest mean avian dropping weight (94.42 ± 0.54gm) > Medium (M) > Low (L) > none (N) trees stand farm landscapes. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) between mean pH (H2O) of H and M-farm landscapes while C-N ratio was highest (1:14) in N-farm landscape compared to H-farm landscapes. Soil organic matter was highest (2.25%) and least (0.45%) in the H and N-farm landscapes. Ca-Mg ratio of H and L farm landscapes were highest and significantly different for M and N farm landscapes to depict better nutrient retention qualities and use efficiencies for germination (100%), leaf area (55.43 ± 0.51mm2) and plant height (45.5 ± 0.12cm). 

Author Biographies

  • Leticia C. Umeh, Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

    Department of Forestry & Wildlife

  • Nelly U. Ureigho, Department of Forestry & Wildlife, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria

    Department of Forestry & Wildlife

  • Aghatha O. Menakitti, Department of Research, Okomu National Park, Okomu, Edo State, Nigeria

    Okomu National Park

  • Kosi F. Obiozor, Department of Environmental Science & Resource Management, NOUN, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria

    Department of Environmental Science and Resource Mgt

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IJFE, E-Palli Publishers

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Published

2026-01-06

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): International Journal of Forestry and Ecosystem

Section

Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Anselm E. Egwunatum, Ben C. Okonta, Leticia C. Umeh, Nelly U. Ureigho, Adeyemi Mohammed, Aghatha O. Menakitti, Kosi F. Obiozor

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Egwunatum, A. E. ., Okonta, B. C. ., Umeh, L. C. ., Ureigho, N. U. ., Mohammed, A. ., Menakitti, A. O. ., & Obiozor, K. F. . (2026). Effect of Domesticated Trees Stand Density on Avian Droppings and Growth of Zea mays (L) in Re-fragmented Attachi II Forest Reserve, Nigeria. International Journal of Forestry and Ecosystem, 2(1), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.54536/ijfe.v2i1.6232