A Review on Ecology of Native Trees

Abstract

Increase in the world population has brought about an increase in demand for plant resources and this has led to the loss several plant species putting a large number under the danger of extinction. Over half of the tropical forests worldwide have been destroyed since 1960s and more than one hectare of tropical forests is destroyed or degraded leading to massive loss of plant species. The plants species provide food, shelter, medicine and mitigate climatic changes and are destroyed through anthropogenic activities. Despite the gap in records of threatened species, IUCN has red-list the endangered plants species at different categories. Indigenous species, also known as native species, are plants, animals, or other organisms that naturally occur in a specific region or ecosystem without human intervention. These species have evolved over time to adapt to the local environment, playing crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity. In Northern Nigeria, several indigenous tree species are ecologically, economically, and culturally significant. Key indigenous tree species includes; Adansonia digitata, Vitex doniana, Diospyros mespiliformis, Tamarindus indica, Khaya senegalensis, Acacia senegal, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyel, Faidherbia albida, Balanites aegyptiaca, Parkia biglobosa, Guiera senegalensis, Borassus aethiopum, Piliostigma thonningii, Ziziphus spina-christi, Hyphaene thebaica and Anogeissus leiocarpus. Conservation challenges confronting native species include over-exploitation, climate change, habitat cutting, invasive animals and plants, policy support, and ignorance. This review paper entails the agroforestry and uses of some African native trees, and the impacts of planting native trees.