Evaluation of Forest Degradation Indicators and Restoration Opportunities in the North Central Sudan Savanna of Nigeria

Sudan savanna forests and woodlands in Nigeria's North Central zone are experiencing significant degradation from charcoal production, agricultural expansion, and climate change, and a professional assessment of degradation indicators and restoration opportunities is urgently needed. This study evaluated forest degradation indicators and identified restoration opportunities across Sudan savanna woodlands in Kwara, Kogi, and Nassarawa States using a professional mixed-methods assessment. Vegetation structural parameters (basal area, stem density, canopy cover, and species richness), landscape-level degradation indicators (tree cover loss from satellite imagery 2015 to 2022), soil condition assessors (compaction, organic carbon, and erosion status), and community land use information were collected from 36 assessment sites. Forest degradation severity was classified using a 5-class index incorporating all measured indicators. Results showed that 67% of assessed sites fell into the moderate to severe degradation classes. Charcoal production was the primary driver at 58% of sites. Tree density had declined by an average of 42% in the most degraded class relative to reference woodland. Soil organic carbon was below 1% in all severely degraded sites. Restoration opportunity mapping identified 34% of degraded sites as suitable for assisted natural regeneration, 28% for enrichment planting, and 38% as requiring full active restoration. High-priority restoration species identified by local community input and ecological suitability included Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, and Afzelia africana. The study provides a decision-support framework for Sudan savanna woodland restoration across the North Central zone.

Keywords: forest degradation, Sudan savanna, restoration, North Central Nigeria, charcoal production