A BIOGEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF SACRED GROVES IN UDUNG UKO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE,

A biogeographical investigation of sacred groves in Udung Uko Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is presented in this paper. The study used a descriptive survey design in which data was collected and analysed in accordance with the study objectives using questionnaires, field observations, and interviews. The study discovered that sacred groves retain significant identity of place and composition based on the data acquired and examined. There were 888 species in their head count, with the most prominent species being vovaca pouse (8.5 percent), switeria mahogoni (6.7 percent), ipomota obscura (6.7 percent), and urina lobofa (6.7 percent) (6.3 percent ). The sacred groves had more trees. The hypothesis that sacred groves have no ecological implications was validated using the chi-square statistic (p0.005), and the hypothesis that community-based management and conservation techniques of sacred groves are not significant was confirmed using the chi-square statistic (p0.005). Although they are natural habitats for biodiversity conservation, they are vulnerable to urbanisation and development, human encroachment, population growth, western education, faiths, and religious strife. The study discovered that indigenous and local-based management with natural characteristics, particularly the forest's untamed aspect and negative consequences, restricts access for many people. The necessity for integrated sacred grove resource management and proactive measures utilising cutting-edge technologies in order to preserve sacred grove quality and ensure long-term conservation.

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