Unsustainable Harvesting Practices and Vulnerability of Medicinal Plants in Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Humans have impacted their environment through complex interactions that have shaped their lives and the resources around them. Some of these interactions have resulted in unsustainable practices with serious consequences for both humans and the environment. One such unsustainable practice is the increasing pressure of overreliance on medicinal plant resources driven by cultural beliefs and socio-economic realities. This study evaluated the impacts of conventional methods of harvesting medicinal plants on conservation. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 178 participants. Data were also collected through focused group discussions and transect plots. Five sampled plots of 20m × 20m (400 m²) for trees and shrubs and 1m × 1m for herbs. The study documented 54 medicinal plants. Results showed 26.04% of roots and whole plants were removed, with 56.25% of assessed species exhibiting moderate-to-high vulnerability. Spearman's correlation analysis between harvesting risks and relative abundance of medicinal plants showed a negative correlation, although not statistically significant (r = -0.398, p = 0.127). Multiple regression analysis showed a positive relationship for medicinal plants used (R = 0.542). The study revealed unsustainable harvesting practices and recommends prevention of possible local extinction through urgent government intervention. Government agencies and traditional medicine practitioners (TMPs) should be encouraged through policy formulation to integrate vulnerable species in their farms and gardens. Government should also promote participatory conservation through local community conservation management.