Do Locals’ Perception of Bushfire Impact on Rubber Trees Match or Mismatch with Empirical Data? Evidence from Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim of study: This study determined whether locals’ perception of bushfire impact on rubber trees matched or mismatched with empirical data. Area of study: This investigation was conducted in Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) and six neighboring communities (Uhie, Iyanomo, Obaretin, Obayantor I, Ogbekpen and Obagie) in Edo State, Nigeria. Material and methods: Quantitative data on tree height, canopy, diameter at breast height (DBH) and bark were obtained by direct measurements and field observation in burnt and unburnt rubber plantations. Locals’ perceptive data were obtained through the administration of questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to examine data on perception of locals’ while Student-t test was adopted to determine significant differences of tree parameters in burnt and unburnt rubber plantations. Main results: There were significant differences in height, canopy and DBH of rubber trees. Besides incidences of fissured tree bark; reduction in height, canopy and DBH of trees were detected in burnt rubber plantation. Majority of the local’s agreed that bushfire negatively impacted rubber tree parameters and natives’ perception aligned with the experiential results. Highlights: Locals’ perception of bushfire effect on rubber trees accessed through the Likert-type format of questionnaire matched with empirical data.