Geospatial Distribution of Tarok Sacred Grove of Langtang North and Langtang South Local Government Areas

This study examines the spatial distribution of Tarok sacred groves in Langtang North and South Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria, with a view to understanding their distribution patterns, ownership, and conservation significance. Sacred Groves are culturally protected forest patches that serve as important reservoirs of biodiversity and traditional heritage. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures are undermining the ecological and cultural sustainability of these Groves.

The study utilized geospatial data comprising 531 Sacred Grove locations collected as point data, with associated attributes such as coordinates and individual grove areas in hectares. Descriptive statistical analysis was employed to examine the size characteristics of the groves, while Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were used to map their spatial distribution and develop a geodatabase. Findings revealed that the Tarok Sacred Groves are generally small in size, with a mean area of 0.856 hectares, indicating fragmentation. The spatial distribution pattern is clustered rather than random, reflecting the influence of cultural practices, settlement patterns, and environmental factors.

Although ownership data were not explicitly available in the primary dataset, limiting the empirical depth of custodianship analysis, existing literature suggests that Sacred Groves are commonly owned by communities, families, or traditional religious institutions. The study highlights the ecological and cultural importance of sacred groves as biodiversity refuges and indigenous conservation systems. However, they are increasingly threatened by land-use changes, agricultural expansion, climate change, and the weakening of traditional beliefs.

The study recommends proper documentation, integration into formal conservation policies, community participation, and the establishment of a comprehensive geodatabase for effective management. This research contributes to knowledge by demonstrating the application of GIS in analyzing cultural landscapes and by providing baseline data for conservation planning.

Sacred Groves, Ancestral cult, Biodiversity, Conservation, GIS, Geodatabase

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