Ethnobotany and Conservation of Indigenous Fruit Tree Species in Akoko Division of Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

A rapid appraisal method involving direct field observation and interviewswas used to identify indigenous fruit trees species (IFTs) in Akoko divisionof Ondo State, Nigeria. 10 respondents were purposively selected from fiverural communities in each of the four local government areas of thedivision. These respondents have maintained domicile in their respectivecommunity for at least 10 years. The respondents were interviewed with theaid of semi-structured questionnaire matrix. The interviews were focused,conversional and two-way in communication. The IFTs were identified; therespondents’ indigenous knowledge on the IFTs and their ethnobotanicalvalues were defined. Also, group interviews were conducted, duringrevisits to two of the selected communities in each of the LocalGovernments Areas of the study area. Key informants were identified ineach local government area and interviewed on the identified IFTs. A totalof 14 IFTs, belonging to 12 families were identified. Only one of the IFTswas being cultivated though wildlings of the IFTs are still being preservedin the study area. The constraints to their cultivations were established andbenign strategies that could enhance their conservation were proposed