Floristic Composition and Life Forms of Plant Species in Nwamba Forest Reserve in Nigeria

Abstract

Background and Objective: Forest habitat plays significant roles in the conservation of biodiversity, environment and the provision of essential products for the well-being of mankind. The habit of Nwamba forest reserve in Ndubia-Igbagu, Izzi Local Government Area, Ebonyi state, Nigeria was studied to ascertain the floristic composition, families, life forms, frequency distribution, diameter at breast height and basal area. Material and Methods: Systematic sampling design was used to lay 8 straight line transects of 400 m separated with plots of 50×50 m each to give a total of 32 sample plots for the study. Results: A total of (153) plant species in 128 genera and 53 families were identified. Dicotyledons were dominant with 139 species comprising 116 genera and 44 families, monocotyledon were 11 species in 9 genera and 6 families, pteridophytes were 2 species in 2 genera and 2 families while bryophytes were mono-specific. The dominant families were Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Apocynaceae with 24, 14 and 10 species, respectively. Napoleona vogelii and Colaargentia had the highest percentage frequency distribution (84.4%) followed by Cola hispida, Icacina trichantha, Cnestic ferruginea and Newbouldia laevis (81.30%). Woody species with diameter at breast height (dbh) class <10 cm were dominant and the mean basal area of the woody species was 38.1 m 2 /plot. The order of the life forms were phanerophytes (84.31%)>chameatophytes (7.20%)>Epiphyte (3.92)>hemicryptophytes = cryptophytes (1.96%)>therophytes (0.65%). Conclusion: The study revealed that the vegetation of the Nwamba forest reserve is diverse and requires forest desirable management practices by the indigenous community/government foresters in the conservation and sustainable exploitation of plant resources in the area.