An Investigation on the Forest and Savanna Vegetation Types in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Campus, in Anambra State of Nigeria

Abstract

An investigation on the forest and savanna vegetation types in NnamdiAzikiwe University, Awka campus, in Anambra state was carried out. This study was conducted on two communities (Science village forest vegetation type and Bank site savanna vegetation type) both located within the University Awka campus. The plot size of 5000 m-2 (50 m × 100 m) for the forest and 650 m-2 (25 m × 26 m) for savanna being their respective minimal areas were used. An analysis of the abundance of plant species above 1m in height in the forest vegetation type revealed that Elaeis Guineensis had the highest basal area (2268.59 M2ha-1) and the Gambeya Albida had the lowest basal area (0.72 M2ha-1). It also revealed that Elaeis Guineensis had the highest important value index (35.7778 %) and Gambeya Albida had the least significant important value index (0.7589 %). The results further revealed that there were 38 families identified in the community. An analysis of the abundance of plant species above 1 metre in height in the savanna vegetation type revealed that 15 families of plant species were identified in the community. It also revealed that Rothmannia Hispida(61.53M2ha-1), had the highest basal area while Napoleana Vogelii had the lowest basal area (1.03M2ha-1). It also showed that Terminalia Ivorensis (51.63%) had the highest important value index while Cnestis Ferruginia(1.03%) had the lowest important value index. A critical look at the abundance of undergrowth plant species in the forest vegetation type revealed that 12 families of plant species were identified in the community. It further showed that Setaria Longista had the higher significant relative density (31.38%) and Combretum Racemosum (0.42%), Cola hispid a(0.42%), Andropogangayanus(0.42%), Glyphaea Brevis(0.42%), and Holarrhaeno Flouribunda(0.42%) had the least relative density. The abundance of undergrowth plant species in the savanna vegetation type showed that 9 families of plant species were identified. The result also showed that the community had the plant species diversity value of 0.88. Since soil pH, N, P, K and organic carbon are the five main contributing factors for plant growth and diversity in the study area, natural resources managers must consider the budget and balance of these resources for protection and to ameliorate soil, vegetation degradation and nutrient limitation.