Composition and Distribution of Vascular Epiphytes in Different Areas in Obafemi Awolowo, Nigeria

Abstract

Composition and distribution of vascular epiphytes were studied in three different areas at Obafemi Awolowo University estate, Nigeria. Each plot, in the selected area, was used for identification of host and epiphytes. Trees were carefully examined. Presence, positions on the host plants and life-forms of all the epiphytes were recorded. Diameter at breast height of the hosts, bark characteristics and height were determined. The climatic data of the areas were measured to determine the relationship between them and epiphytes distributions. Result showed 41 epiphytes belonging to 14 genera and 11 families were identified. Open area had the highest number of epiphytes (22) followed by forest patches (14) then secondary forest (five). The epiphytes were not host specific except epiphytic ferns and Ficus vogelii. Diameter at breast height has effect on the epiphytes distribution and composition. The distribution of epiphytes and environmental factors were lowest in the secondary forest. Moraceae was the most dominant host family (44.8%) while Nephrolepis undulata and Nephrolepis biserrata were the most common species of epiphytes. Most epiphytes preferred sub-canopy level, few occurred in the canopy level but none at emergent level. Climatic factors, diameter at breast height and bark characteristics of the host plants are useful in determining compositions and distributions of these epiphytes.

Patterns of ferns community assemblages in some Malaysian and Nigerian tropical forests

“…The dominant nature of the terrestrial ferns could also be an indicator to the lesser degree of disturbance of the forests in the two countries when considered on a larger scale. Researchers have confirmed the dominant nature of terrestrial ferns in less-disturbed forests (Keerthi et al, 2001;Oloyede et al, 2014;Rahmad & Akomolafe, 2018;Sathapattayanon & Boonkerd, 2006). The nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis showed that the Malaysian and Nigerian forests are more associated with terrestrial and epiphytic ferns than the other life forms of ferns (Figure 4).…”

“…In Nigeria, the fern species were collected from the campus of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile‐Ife, Osun State and the reserved forest near Ikogosi warm spring, Ekiti State (Figure 1 ). This University campus is located in Ile‐Ife which lies between latitude 7°32′N, longitude 4°32′E and elevation 258 m. The campus was originally sited on a primary forest which has now been transformed into secondary forest due to the level of human encroachments (Oloyede et al, 2014 ). Ile‐Ife city falls within the tropical rain forest zone of Nigeria which receives an average annual rainfall of 1400 to 1500 mm and a mean annual temperature ranging between 27°C and 34°C.…”