DESERTIFICATION AND THE DEPLETION OF VEGETAL RESOURCES IN BORNO STATE

This research examines the problem of desertification and the depletion of natural vegetation in Borno Slate. Specifically, if seeks to evaluate the rote oj stakeholders in the depletion of biological resources and the implications for the Borno environment. The stratification of (he state into three ago-climatic zones (northen.?, central, and southern) enabled the researchers to ascertain the extent.of exploitation of vegetable resources in each zone. A total of450 (150for each zone) structured interviews were administered to farmers, pastoral is ts and rural women who were selected randomly within the farming areas. Field observations also constituted a major part of the field work. The results revealed that intensive exploitation of the Savanna woodland over the years to meet the ever Increasing demand of man and livestock has resulted in a desert-like landscape in this semi-arid region. The effects of this menace are many and varied. The most important being the dwindling productivity of food crops, low quality supplement of leaves, fruits and seed

• pods from such frees and shrubs, hi view of this, the researchers recommend the use of improved wood stoves as a way to save the scarce wood supplies, a combination of extensive afforestation and agro forestry schemes and improvement in the management of existing indigenous woodlands rather than ’ the widely planted exotic tree species