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.