Assessing the Status of Sacred Groves as Biodiversity Refugia in Ebonyi State, South East Nigeria

Sacred groves are culturally protected forest patches that serve as informal biodiversity refugia in many parts of Nigeria where formal conservation areas are absent or inadequate. This study assessed the biodiversity value and conservation status of sacred groves in five communities in Ebonyi State. Vegetation surveys were conducted within sacred groves and in surrounding farmland matrices to compare tree species richness, structural diversity, and rare or endemic species presence. Amphibian and reptile diversity was assessed through visual encounter surveys at dusk and dawn. Community interviews were conducted to document traditional rules governing grove use, perceived threats, and community commitment to grove protection. Results revealed that sacred groves supported significantly higher tree species richness than surrounding farmlands, with several species absent from agricultural areas. Rare and culturally significant tree species including Pterocarpus osun and Cordia millenii were recorded exclusively within grove boundaries. Herpetofaunal surveys recorded three lizard species and one amphibian species within groves not found in farmland plots. Community interviews revealed that grove protection rules were weakening due to generational change and reduced enforcement of customary sanctions. The study recommends formal recognition and documentation of sacred groves within Ebonyi State's environmental governance framework, combined with community sensitisation programmes to reinforce their cultural and ecological significance. Keywords: sacred groves, biodiversity refugia, Ebonyi State, conservation, traditional ecological knowledge.