Tree Species Richness, Diversity, and Vegetation Index for Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria

Aladesanmi D Agbelade,Matthew B Oyun,Jonathan C Onyekwelu

doi:10.1155/2017/4549756

Aladesanmi D Agbelade, Matthew B Oyun + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/4549756

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Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the tree species richness and diversity of urban and periurban areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria, and produce Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the territory. Data were collected from urban (Abuja city) and periurban (Lugbe) areas of the FCT using both semistructured questionnaire and inventory of tree species within green areas. In the study location, all trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 10 cm were identified; their dbh was measured and frequency was taken. The NDVI was calculated in ArcGIS 10.3 environment using standard formula. A cumulative total of twenty-nine (29) families were encountered within the FCT, with 27 occurring in Abuja city (urban centre) and 12 in Lugbe (periurban centre) of the FCT. The results of Shannon-Wiener diversity index(H′)for the two centres are 3.56 and 2.24 while Shannon’s maximum diversity index(Hmax)is 6.54 (Abuja city) and 5.36 (Lugbe) for the urban (Abuja city) and periurban (Lugbe) areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The result of tree species evenness (Shannon’s equitability (EH) index) in urban and periurban centres was 0.54 and 0.42, respectively. The study provided baseline information on urban and periurban forests in the FCT of Nigeria, which can be used for the development of tree species database of the territory.

Highlights

Urban forests are made up of the trees, shrubs, and other vegetative covers that play important role in human life
This study investigates tree species richness, diversity, and vegetation index for Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
A cumulative total of twenty-nine (29) families were encountered within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with 27 occurring in Abuja city and 12 in Lugbe of the FCT (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Urban forests are made up of the trees, shrubs, and other vegetative covers that play important role in human life. Urban forests serve important roles such as tree species diversity conservation and protection of fragile ecosystem; development of parks and event centres for relaxation and social engagements; provision of vegetable and fruits/seeds for foods and medicines; and purification of air, wind break, and beautification of the environment [1]. Research in developing countries has revealed that trees are planted around houses for fruits, nuts, leaves, fuelwood, fodder, vegetables, shade, and windbreaks [2]. The growing urban population in Nigeria is redefining urban forestry practices and has presented new challenges and opportunities for researchers. Urbanization in developing countries is on the increase and this has resulted in social burden in the urban cities due to their limited capacity to adapt to socioeconomic challenges of the new environments [3]. The negative effect of urban expansion includes threat to ecosystem biodiversity and carbon emis-

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