ABSTRACT
Woody plant species colonizing abandoned
farmlands of different serai stages in the south-eastern Nigerian rainforest
ecozone were studied between 1st September, 2005 and 30th August, 2006. The
tropical rainforest is disappearing at an alarming rate of 3.0 percent per
annum. At Abia, Akwa-Ibom and Imo states ofNigeria, plant species colonizing
abandoned farmlands of 0-2-4-6-8-10-20-30-40-50 and over 50 years of age were
studied. Transects, each 100m in length were cut in each of the selected
abandoned farmlands using prismatic compass. Along each transect, 11
perpendiculars were cut and three perpendiculars were selected at random. On each
selected perpendicular line, three quadrats of 2.5 x 2.5 were laid at the three
points selected at random. Woody plant species within the sample plots selected
at random. Woody plant species within the sample plots were identified and
enumerated. Data revealed that 44 woody economic plant species were enumerated
in the three states studied. Data revealed that economic tree species are rare
in all the abandoned farmlands enumerated. Plant species that were abundant in
the three states were Chromolaena odorata, Anthonotha macrophylla, Dactyladenia
barteri and Dicilium guineense. Lovoa trichilioides and Entandrophragma
cylindricum were observed only in the forest over 50 years old. It appears that
it is mainly fire resistant plant species that existed in the abandoned
farmlands. The life form spectra showed the poor distribution of Phanerophytes.
Grasses were more relatively abundant in farmlands between zero and eight
years. The plant species colonizing abandoned farmlands at the three states
were not similar. The calculated similarity index of Abia and Akwa-Ibom was
57.5%, Abia and Imo 45.9%, Akwa-Ibom and Imo 33.7%. Data revealed that
vegetation of Akwa-Ibom and Imo State were not similar. However, Akwa-Ibom and
Abia states have similar plant species because they share the same ecozone.
Abia and Imo states were similar because they share common boundary. It is
recommended that education of the people on the importance oftrees should be
done by the state government. Also dispersing tree fruits should be assisted to
help the fruits of tree species get into abandoned farmlands. Kola pachycarpa
and Monodora niyristica hardly can disperse its seeds on itself. And so
requires the help of man to disperse its seeds.
ANYANWU, A (2023). Woody plant species colonizing abandoned farmlands of different serai stages in South-eastern Nigeria:- Anyanwu, Patrick E.. Repository.mouau.edu.ng: Retrieved Dec 23, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/woody-plant-species-colonizing-abandoned-farmlands-of-different-serai-stages-in-south-eastern-nigeria-anyanwu-patrick-e-7-2
ANYANWU, ANYANWU. "Woody plant species colonizing abandoned farmlands of different serai stages in South-eastern Nigeria:- Anyanwu, Patrick E." Repository.mouau.edu.ng. Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 13 Nov. 2023, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/woody-plant-species-colonizing-abandoned-farmlands-of-different-serai-stages-in-south-eastern-nigeria-anyanwu-patrick-e-7-2. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.
ANYANWU, ANYANWU. "Woody plant species colonizing abandoned farmlands of different serai stages in South-eastern Nigeria:- Anyanwu, Patrick E.". Repository.mouau.edu.ng, Repository.mouau.edu.ng, 13 Nov. 2023. Web. 23 Dec. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/woody-plant-species-colonizing-abandoned-farmlands-of-different-serai-stages-in-south-eastern-nigeria-anyanwu-patrick-e-7-2 >.
ANYANWU, ANYANWU. "Woody plant species colonizing abandoned farmlands of different serai stages in South-eastern Nigeria:- Anyanwu, Patrick E." Repository.mouau.edu.ng (2023). Accessed 23 Dec. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/woody-plant-species-colonizing-abandoned-farmlands-of-different-serai-stages-in-south-eastern-nigeria-anyanwu-patrick-e-7-2