Floristic Composition and Life Forms Study of Woody Plants in Magama Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The floristic composition and life forms analysis was conducted in Magama local government area of Niger state, Guinea Savanna of Northern Nigeria to generate a baseline data for the woody plants genetic resources. Study Design: Sampling method was done in Auna, Ibeto, Nasko and Salka. Place and Duration of Study: Magama local government area of Niger State for 2 years. Methodology: Point–centered quarter method was used in data collection. Data generated was analysed using quantitative method. Results: A total of 56 woody species from 45 genera and 28 families of angiosperms were encountered. The species Detarium microcarpum had the highest density of 1.7 per hectare, with dominance of 1.22 m2 ha-1and relative dominance of 13.9% followed by Piliostigma thonningii with density of 1.5 per hectare, dominance of 1.04 m2 ha-1 with relative dominance of 10.2%. The species with least density and dominance was Ximenia americana. The family Caesalpiniaceae had the highest dominance followed by Combretaceae, Mimosaceae and Sapotaceae. Mimosaceae had the highest species composition with nine species from five genera. Caesalpiniaceae and Combretaceae had seven and six species from seven genera and three genera respectively. The families Ochnaceae and Olacaceae had the least species composition. The dominant life form spectrums of woody species were dominated by microphanerophytes (53%), nanophanerophytes (39%) and mesophanerophytes (8%). The presence of 56 species, 45 genera in 28 families indicates a fairly diverse vegetation resource that should be given some level of protection for sustainability. Conclusion: The study revealed that the vegetation of Magama Local Government is diverse and requires forest management practices by the local community in the conservation and sustainable exploitation of plant resources in the area.