Phytodiversity complex of trees and shrubs in Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state, Nigeria

Abstract

Plant biodiversity in the dry ecosystem of the savanna is constantly under threat of extinction, thereby contributing to the ongoing climatic crisis. The systematic compilation of plant species growing in any region is an important tasks of ecological research centered on conservation. In the present study, a comprehensive and systematic inventory of the diversity and population structure of trees and shrubs growing on the Ungwar Jeji campus of Federal University Birnin Kebbi Northwestern Nigeria was provided. The data was collected using a standard 50 × 50 quadrat with 156 total sample plots stratified into plantation area (PA), undisturbed area (UA), building area (BA), and drive/walkways area (DA). Diversity indices were computed using PAST 3.17 software. The campus is richly endowed and diverse in species as revealed by the Margalef's species richness value of 4.753 and the Diversity Index Value (Shannon_ H′) of 2.51, respectively. The inventory recorded 39 species belonging to 17 families of trees (66.67%) and shrubs (30.77%). Fabaceae has the most species (30.77%), while the least families recorded 1 species (2.5%) each. Azadirachta indica and Acacia podalyriifolia recorded an IVI of 55.4 and 99.62 making them the most important tree and shrub species respectively. Ficus platyphylla (2.82%) is the least. Most of the species encountered are of least concern (89.19%) except for Vitellaria paradoxa, which is Vulnerable (2.70%) according to the IUCN Red List version 2021–2. This preliminary inventory is useful for the planning and implementation of a sustainable conservation strategy on the campus. DNA conservation of the species is recommended.