Flora Diversity and Distribution in Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State, Nigeria

Abstract

The diversity and distribution of tropical vegetation becomes more important in the face of the ever increasing threats to the tropical ecosystems. This study was carried out to examine the variations in composition and diversity characteristics of the flora species of Falgore Game Reserve in Kano State, Nigeria, with a view to promoting sustainable conservation and management of the game reserve. The study area was stratified into four topographic locations, namely: hill top, sloppy area, level ground and the riparian forest. A one kilometer line transect perpendicular to a baseline (an established tract/road) was laid in each of the four study locations. 50m × 50m sampling plots were systematically established at a predetermined interval of 200m on both sides of the transect; given a total of ten sampling plots in each study site, and a total of forty (40) plots for the study. The 50m× 50m sampling plots were used for the assessment of woody plants species (trees, saplings and shrubs). One meter squarewas used for the assessment of the herbaceous layer (Herbs and Grasses). Plant Species diversity and distribution were estimated using species richness (D), species diversity (H′) and species evenness (E). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at p< 0.05. A total of 3,231.2 individuals/ha distributed in 23 families, 44 genera and 53 species were recorded in the study. Thirty six (36) species (67.9%) were trees, 7 species (13.2%) were shrubs, and 10 species (18.8%) were saplings while 10 species (18%) were herbs. The highest tree species diversity (H′= 2.5) was recorded at the level ground while the least was recorded at the sloppy area, (H1= 2.1). The highest diversity for Shrubs (H1= 1.23) was recorded at the sloppy area while the least (H1 = 0.09) was recorded at the level ground. The highest species diversity of Saplings, (H′= 1.92) was recorded at the level ground while the least (H′ = 1.12) was recorded in the riparian forest. The highest mean value for tree height (14.8m) was recorded at riparian forest while the lowest (10.5m) was recorded at hill top. Findings of this study showed that land use types in association with environmental factors have substantial influences on the density and morphological characteristics of plant species in Falgore Game Reserve.

Woody Species Composition and Diversity of Wawa-Zange Forest, Gombe State, Nigeria

“…The fact that the study area is designated as Sudan Savanna and the area's species diversity suggest that this is a significant conservation site. The amount of woody (tree and shrub) plants discovered is comparable to that found in the Kanawa Forest Reserve, which has 25 tree species and 35 shrub species, as reported by [16]; (Abdullah MB, 2010, unpublished data) in Yankari Game Reserve in 2003 with 38 tree species, in 2004 with 42 tree species, and 2005 with 43 tree species; [17] reported 37 tree and shrub species belonging to 17 families in the Falgore wildlife reserve in Kano state, and also [18] collected 16 woody species in Girei forest reserve in Adamawa State. Direct comparisons with other studies of a comparable nature are challenging such as [19], which collected 50 woody species in the Ipinu-Igede sacred forest in Benue State, North-Central Nigeria and [20] obtained 14 species in North-Eastern Nigeria.…”

“…The distribution of trees in circumference classes formed a "J" shape, in accordance with the species composition of the Forest Reserve (Table 4). These results were similar to that of [17], who obtained the J-shape diameter distribution Tree stands in the lower DBH class of 6-10cm had higher values (1,300 individuals), followed by shrub stands in the lower DBH class of 1-5cm with (700 individuals) and the higher DBH class of 21.0cm -above with 100 individuals. (Table 4).…”

“…This indicates a moderate level of species variety and variable species distribution in the study area, as well as an old assemblage with diversified and abundant vegetation. When compared to (H'= 3.646) from Ipinu-Igede Sacred Forest as reported [19]; (H'= 3.21) as found by [17], and [18] reported (H' = 2.6). A higher level of anthropogenic disturbance in the studied area could explain the difference in diversity indicators.…”