Ecotourism Development in Okomu National Park, Nigeria

We determined the impact of ecotourism infrastructural development on the woody components of Okomu National Park. This necessitated identifying the ecotourism attractions/facilities, interviewing of respondents and on-site observation and quadrant method were employed in acquiring information on ecotourism attractions/facilities and vegetation assessment respectively. Significant variations were observed in the tree growth variables measured between the ecotourism built-up and the control areas. The abundance distribution model, kernel density and species accumulation curves itinerated the pictorial disparity in distribution of woody vegetations' abundance between the areas. Furthermore, the IUCN Red data endangered species of Diospyros crassiflora had been eroded from the ecotourism built-up areas; while the vulnerable species of Anopyxis klaineana were conspicuously absent in the control areas. These differences depicted the non eco-friendly approaches taken in the design, implementation and maintenance of ecotourism attractions and facilities. However, concerted efforts had to be taken by relevant stakeholders to forestall this inimical growth towards sustainable ecotourism development.