ABSTRACT

This work was carried out to determine the floristic composition, abundance and assemblage guild of avifauna in community forests of Ikwuano area of Abia State, Nigeria. Twelve (12) plots measuring 60m x 60m each were mapped in 4 major communities of Ikwuano (Oboro, Ibere, Oloko and Ariam). Within each plot, three line transects measuring 20m x 60m were marked to facilitate access to the terrain. The three transects were then divided into twelve subplots, each measuring 10m x 10m for the purpose of identification and complete enumeration of plant species that attains a minimum height of 16cm and above. Enumerated plant species were tagged to avoid repeated counting of individual species and unknown plant species were collected and identified in the herbarium unit of Forestry and Environmental Management Department, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.  A total of eighty nine (89) plant species belonging to forty six (46) families were recorded, of which Dactyladenia barteri had the highest percent relative abundance (8.96%), while Elaeis guineensis and Dialium guineense had 7.01% and 5.68% relative abundance respectively. The following plant families Leguminosae-Pap., Moraceae and Rubiaceae were represented by six (6) plant species, while Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Malvaceae were represented by four (4) plant species each. Other families were represented by 1 or 3 plant species. Of the 89 plant species recorded, 54 were categorized as Least Concern (LC), 3 Near Threatened (NT), 3 Vulnerable (VU) and 2 Data Deficient (DD) in the IUCN red list of threatened species. Gnetum africana, Irvingia gabonensis, and Milicia excelsa were the NT plant species recorded. Also, Terminalia ivorensis, Nauclea diderrichii, Garcinia sp. were the VU plant species documented in the area. Higher number of plant species diversity were recorded in Ariam, while Oloko had more plant species abundance. Regarding the bird species of the site, aural and visual observation were adopted along the trail of 3 line transects of 20m x 60m of the 60m x 60m main plot with the aid of binoculars for distant birds and mist net for trapping of birds. Photographs of birds caught were taken to validate their occurrence at the site as well as their identification. 25 families comprising of 69 bird species were recorded. Among the documented birds, 46 species were observed within the area, while 23 species were absent during the study but were mentioned in the textual literature referred to. Also, previously unrecorded occurrences of Vidua chalybeata, Euplectes hordeaceus and Ardea melanocephala were documented in Ibere, which were absent from the existing literature at the time of this study. Two (2) bird families (Ardeidae and Accipitridae) of National Conservation interest were recorded in the area. The Ibere community exhibits a higher level of bird species richness and diversity compared to Ariam, Oboro and Oloko. The consensus ecological niche modelling used for variable selection showed that Bende, Isialangwa South, Osisioma Ngwa, Ohafia and Arochukwu possess ecological potentials to support similar species assemblages as those documented in Ikwuano. The study’s findings suggest that Ikwuano should be incorporated into the distribution map of newly documented bird species as a recommended course of action. Continuous monitoring exercise to track changes in bird assemblages over time should be adopted so as to provide valuable information on species population trend. To safeguard, enhance and sustain biodiversity stability, it is recommended to engage the community and carry out habitat enhancement activities, particularly in areas that support species categorized as Vulnerable, Near Threatened and of National Conservation interest.