Research Article

DEVELOPING TREE VOLUME EQUATIONS FOR AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM TREE) IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

SHUAIBU R B1*
1 Department of Forestry and Wild Life Management, School of Agriculture & Agricultural Technology, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria
* Corresponding author: srabibinta@yahoo.com
Published: May, 2015
DOI: 10.67390/gjids.2015.sasqnl5h
Pages: 204-213

Abstract

Volumes of current growing stock and future growth potentials are both important information for forest management. Tree volume equations are mathematical statements or expressions which relate tree quantity or volume to its measurable attributes such as base diameter, diameter at breast height, merchantable height and total height so as to obtain individual tree volume and the volumes of entire stands. This study seeks to develop tree volume equations using simple linear regression for Azadirachta indica in Sudano-sahelian region of Nigeria. A complete measurement of two hundred and forty-two (242) trees was carried out in some selected plantations of Azadirachta indica within two Local Government Areas of Katsina State situated within the Sudano-Sahelian eco-region (Katsina town in Katsina LGA and Dutsinma town in Dutsinma LGA). One hundred and thirty-six (136) trees and One hundred and six (106) trees were measured from Katsina town and Dutsinma town respectively. Data were collected through non destructive sampling method with the use of Spiegel Relascope and meter tape. Data consisted of stump diameter, diameter at breast height, top diameter, and merchantable height for the 242 trees. The results obtained revealed that the Stump diameter (Dst) of the sampled trees ranged from 41cm to 65cm; diameter at breast height (dbh) ranged from 32cm to 59cm; while the Top diameter ranged from 17cm to 46cm. Schumacher–Hall’s volume function was fitted to the data of each of the sampled trees. Simple linear regression analyses were conducted with the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 18 to generate the volume equations. Various criteria were used to evaluate the ability of each model to predict a specified dependent variable. Two (2) tree volume equations from the Six (6) equations developed were ranked the best. The two best volume equations among the generated equations are as follows: LnV = 0.284 - 0.962Ln (D²H); and V = 0.019 + 0.737 (D²H); The R, R square, SEE, F-value and RMSE were 0.99, 99.7%, 0.01, 62214 and 0.0000001; 0.99, 99.6%, 0.01, 42637 and 0.00001 respectively. The equation developed was fitted to the data, and the resulting equations possessed desirable statistical properties and model behaviors.

Keywords

Azadirachta indica Data Tree volume equations Sudano-Sahelian Katsina State

References

  1. Adam, H.E. and Csalovics E. (2010). Integration of Remote Sensing, GIS and Terrestrial Forest Inventory in Estimation of Acacia senegal Tree Parameters. In: Rainer Reuter (Ed), Remote Sensing for Science, Education, and Natural and Cultural Heritage, EARSeL, 2010, 6p.
  2. Adekunle, V.A.J. (2006). Conservation of Tree Species Diversity in Tropical Rain-Forest Ecosystem of South-West Nigeria, Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 18: 91–101.
  3. Adekunle, V.A.J., K. N. Nair, K. N., A. K. Srivastava, A. K. and N. K. Singh, N. K. (2013). Models and Form Factors for Stand Volume Estimation in Natural Forest Ecosystems: a Case Study of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KGWS), Bahraich District, India. Journal of Forestry Research, 24(2): 217–226
  4. Akindele S.O. and LeMay V.M. (2006). Development of Tree Volume Equations for Common Timber Species in the Tropical Rainforest Area of Nigeria Forest Ecology and Management, 226: 41–48.
  5. Avery, T.E. and Burkhart, H.E., (2002). Forest Measurements, 5th ed. McGraw-Hill Higher Education, New York, USA, p. 456.
  6. Edward, T.D. (1992). Introduction to Mathematical Economics. McGrawHill Book Company New York 2nd Edition. 486p.
  7. Glantz, S.A. and Slinker, B.K. (2001). Primer of Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance, 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, USA, p. 949.
  8. Husch, B., Beers, T.W. and Kershaw Jr., J.A. (2003). Forest Mensuration, 4th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New Jersey, USA, p. 443.
  9. Louis V.Z. (2005). Stem Form, Height and Volume Models for Teak in Tanzania. Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Forestry at the University of Stellenbosch, p. 1-83.
  10. Marshall, P.L. and Northway (1993). Suggested Minimum Procedure for Validation of Growth and Yield Model: Growth and Yield Estimation from Successive Forest Inventories. Proceedings of the IUFRO World Congress, (IUFRO'93), Copenhagen, pp: 281
  11. Mead, R., Curnow, R.N. and Hasted A.M. (1994). Statistical Methods in Agricultural and Experimental Biology. Glasgow: Chapman & Hall London, p.415.
  12. Onyekwelu, J.C. and Akindele, S.O. (1995). Stand Volume Equation for Gmelina arborea Plantations in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Forest Resources, 24-25; 92-95.
  13. Schumacher, F.X. and Hall, F.D.S. (1933). Logarithmic expression of Timber Tree Volume. Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 47, pp. 719-734
  14. Shuaibu, R.B. and Dagba, B.I (2013). Challenges of Forest Inventory and its Effects on Forest Management and Planning in Nigeria. In: Labode, P.; O.Y. Ogunsanwo; V.A.J. Adekunle; I. O. Azeez; and N.O. Adewole (eds). The Green Economy: Balancing Environmental Sustainability & Livelihoods in an Emerging Economy. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of Forestry Association of Nigeria (FAN) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Page 200-206.
  15. Shuaibu, R.B. (2014). Stem Taper and Tree Volume Equations for Tectona grandis (Teak) in Agudu Forest Reserve, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Unpublished MSc. Thesis in the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology Submitted to the School of Post Graduate Studies, Federal University of Technology Akure, 112Pp.
  16. Sönmez, T., Ercanli, I. and Kele, S. (2009). A Distance-Independent Basal Area Growth Model for Oriental Spruce (Picea orientalis(l.) Link), Growing in Mixture with Oriental Beech (Fagus orientalis, Lipsky) in the Artvin Region, North-East, Turkey. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 4: 740–751.
  17. Thomas, J.J. (1977). An Introduction to Statistical Analysis for Economists. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson Ltd, p.286.
  18. United Nations Environment Program (2012). Neem: The UN's tree of the 21st Century. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Program; 2012. [Online] Available from: http://www.unep.org/wed/tree-a-day/neem.asp. [Accessed on 17 January, 2014]
  19. Venugopalan, S.K. and Visweswaran, N. (2013).Neem (Azadirachta indica): Prehistory to Contemporary Medicinal Uses to Humankind. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 3(7):505-514.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Azadirachta&oldid=555229738" [Accessed on 17 April, 2015]
How to Cite

B, S. R. (2015). DEVELOPING TREE VOLUME EQUATIONS FOR AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM TREE) IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA. Gashua Journal of Irrigation and Desertification Studies, 1(1), 204-213. https://doi.org/10.67390/gjids.2015.sasqnl5h

S. R. B, "DEVELOPING TREE VOLUME EQUATIONS FOR AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM TREE) IN KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA," Gashua Journal of Irrigation and Desertification Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 204-213, May 2015. doi: 10.67390/gjids.2015.sasqnl5h

Share this article:
Facebook X / Twitter LinkedIn
Download PDF View Full Text (PDF) Back to Articles