Agiande, Denis U., Ukah, Julius, Kingsley Charles Edet & Okon, Salome Uwem
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine poverty indices and forest resources conservation in Nsit Ibom, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. To achieve the purpose of this study, three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Literature review was carried out on each of the variables of the study as documented by relevant researchers and scholars. The survey research design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling technique was used in selecting the four clans in the study area while the simple random sampling technique was adopted in selecting two hundred respondents used for the study. A structured questionnaire prepared by the researcher titled “Forest Resources Conservation and Management Questionnaire (FRCMQ)” which was for data collection. It was validated by relevant experts before it was administered to respondents. To test the hypotheses formulated for the study, one-way analysis of variance was the statistical tool used for data analysis. The result of this analysis revealed that there was a significant influence of income level and occupation on forest resources conservation in the study area. Based on these and other findings, it was recommended among others that relevant agencies should ensure that rural dwellers are provided with alternative livelihood options in order to improve their income levels and reduce the level of dependence on forest resources for survival.