By: ETIGALE E. B.; OLAJIDE O. .; UDO E. S.;
Abstract:
Tree species diversity and abundance in Ukpon River Forest Reserve, a tropical rainforest in Cross River State, Nigeria, were studied. The objective was to obtain quantitative information on the diversity and abundance of trees in the reserve. Using systematic cluster sampling technique, 16 sample plots of 50m x 50m were laid and trees ³ 10cm dbh were enumerated. A total of 1,534 trees, belonging to 79 species, 77 genera and 28 families were encountered. Strombosia spp. (237) was the most abundant, with a relative abundance value of 15.45%. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), the Shannon’s equitability index (EH) for species evenness and Menhinick’s index (R) for species richness of the study area were 3.53, 0.81 and 2.02, respectively. The results conformed to the generally high ecological complexity reported of tropical natural forests. Being stocked with abundant and diverse tree species, which are valuable resources with high potential economic values in addition to their invaluable ecological benefits, it is recommended that the forest reserve should be conserved through sustainable forest management.
Keywords: Trees, Species, Families, Diversity, Abundance, Tropical Rainforest Reserve, Sustainable Management.
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