FLORAL DIVERSITY, SOIL PROPERTIES, AND BIOMASS DISTRIBUTION IN NATURAL, RIPARIAN AND PLANTATION FOREST ECOSYSTEMS IN EJIGBO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
Riparian forest, Diversity indices, Floristic composition, Ecosystem servicesAbstract
The assessment of biomass distribution, floral diversity and soil characteristics could assist ecosystem managers in the conservation of tropical ecological landscapes and enhance ecosystem function. This study investigated the floral diversity and biomass distribution in natural, riparian and plantation forest ecosystems in Ejigbo, Osun State, Nigeria. Growth variables such as diameter at breast height, total height, crown dynamics, and above and below-ground biomass were assessed. Diversity indices were computed, and the above and below-ground biomass were estimated using an allometric equation. A total of 116 plant species belonging to different life forms (trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers) were identified. Riparian forests had higher tree species composition than natural forests, but the natural forest was more diverse. The organic carbon content in riparian forest soil was higher (37.8%) than in natural forest (29.07%). Riparian forest soil was less acidic (pH: 6.65) compared to the natural forest (6.47). The conservation and management of these habitats are critical for the mitigation of climate change and the maintenance of ecosystem services.
References
Chave, J., Réjou-Méchain, M., Búrquez, A., Chidumayo, E., Colgan, M.S., Delitti, W.B.C., Duque, A., Eid, T., Fearnside, P. M., Goodman, R. C., Henry, M., Martínez-Yrízar, A., Mugasha, W. A., Muller-Landau, H. C., Mencuccini, M., Nelson, B. W., Ngomanda, A., Nogueira, E. M., Ortiz-Malavassi, E., Pélissier, R., Ploton, P., Ryan, C. M., Saldarriaga, J. G. and Vieilledent, G. (2014). Improved allometric models to estimate the aboveground biomass of tropical trees. Global Change Biology 20: 3177-3190.
Chude, V. O., Olayiwola, S. O., Osho, A. O., and Daudu, C. K. (2011). Fertilizer use and management practices for crops in Nigeria. Fourth edition. Federal Fertilizer Department, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Abuja, Nigeria 6(12) :1-59.
Esor, P. E., Iwara, I. O. and Omini, D. I (2023). Trees species diversity and soil physiochemical properties in Ukpon Forest Reserve, Cross River State, Nigeria. International Journal of Recent research in Life Sciences. 10(1): 41- 50.
Giese, B. S., Seidel, H. F., Compo, G. P. and Sardeshmukh, P. D. (2016). An ensemble of ocean re-analyses for 1815–2013 with sparse observational input. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans 121(9): 6891-6910.
Houehanou, T. D., GlèlèKakaï, R. L., Assogbadjo, A. E., Kindomihou, V., Houinato, M., Wittig, R., and Sinsin, B. A. (2013). Change in the woody floristic composition, diversity and structure from protected to unprotected savannahs in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve (Benin, West Africa). African Journal of Ecology 51(2) :358-365.
Ige, P. O. and Silas, A. E. (2023). Evaluation of aboveground biomass and carbon stock content of seven most Abundant tree species in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Ondo State. Nigeria. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 27(12): 2737 -2741.
Levin, L. A., Boesch, D. F., Covich, A., Dahm, C., Erséus, C., Ewel, K. C., Ronald T. Kneib and Weslawski, J. M. (2001). The function of marine critical transition zones and the importance of sediment biodiversity. Ecosystems 4(5): 430-451.
Naiman, R. J., Décamps, H., and McClain, M. E. (2005). Riparia: Ecology, conservation, and management of streamside communities. Academic Press management.
Noma, S. S., Tanko, I. I., Yakubu, M., Dikko, A. U., Abdullahi, A. A. and Audu, M. (2011). Variability in the physico-chemical properties of soils of Dundaye District, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Proceedings of the 45th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, October 24-28, 2011, Nigeria.
Ogana, F. N., Gorgoso-Varela J. J., Onefeli A. O. (2021). Application of BDq method to complex tropical mixed forest ecosystems in Nigeria. Bois and Forets Des Tropiques 349:37-50. Doi: https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2021.349.a36388
Ojo, S. O. (2016). Evaluation of floral diversity and abundance in Awba Dam Tourism Centre, Ibadan, Nigeria. Journal of Agriculture and Social Research 16(1): 75-83.
Onefeli, A. O. (2016). Assessment of Undergrowth plant diversity in three different vegetation at Gambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State. Proceedings of the 1st Commonwealth Forestry Association (CFA) Conference, Nigeria Chapter, 54-60.
Onefeli, A. O, Opute, O. H. and Oluwayomi, T. L. (2013). Biodiversity assessment of Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve, Delta State. Proceedings of the 36th Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria. pp490-495.
Onefeli, A. O., Ogana, F. N., Adaja, A. A., Agwu, O. P., Ige, P. O., Ogana, T. E. and Odeleye, S. V. (2022). Assessment of above-ground biomass
