Hassan Gbadebo Adewusi 135
THE PRODUCTION-TO-CONSUMPTION SYSTEMResource base
The Sakpoba (or Sapoba) Forest Reserve (06°05' N, 05°52' E) including numerous
villages, campsites, and enclaves is situated in Edo State, in the south-south-
west area of Nigeria (Figure 1). It is located about 45 kilometres south-east of
Benin City and 26 kilometres north-east of Sapele, in the moist lowland
rainforest. The entire forest reserve covers an estimated area of 521 km^2
(FORMECU 1998).Figure 1. Location of the study areaVillages within the forest reserve area include Evbuosa, Aideyanba, Igbekhue,
Iguemokwa, Ona, Akpobi, Abe, Evbeka, Obozogbe, Evbarkhue and Iduowina
(Idu). For this study, Ona village and Akpobi camp with a combined area of 5
km^2 were selected. The population of the two communities is estimated to be
around 3,000, representing an average density of 600 persons per square
kilometre. The population has increased over the last 10 years, with an average
influx of about 50 people annually (Efhosa personal communication). While
the indigenes drift to the urban centres for white collar and artisan jobs, non-
indigenes, particularly timber exploiters and non-timber product extractors
mostly from the Hausas and the Igbos tribes, constitute the majority of
immigrants into the communities (Yesufu personal communication).Source: ESRI Data and Maps 2002.08dacryodes.p65 135 22/12/2004, 11:05