Authors :
ASUNBO, E.B; TANEE, F.B.G; EDWIN-WOSU, N. L.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 8 - 2023, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://bit.ly/3TmGbDi
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/55xb78tf
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8037079
Abstract :
The study presents findings on the species
composition, frequency of occurrence, species abundance
and species diversity of two Ramsar wetlands (Orashi
and Oguta) in Nigeria during rainy and dry seasons. A
systematic sampling approach using the line-transect
method with dimensions of 150 m×50 m was employed
for the investigation. The result reveals that Orashi had
a higher species composition than Oguta for both
seasons, with most of the species being evenly distributed
across the ecosystem. A total of 47 species belonging to
26 families were recorded with Orashi having higher
species composition than Oguta. Thirty-nine (39) species
were recorded during rainy season at Oguta which
increased to forty-one (41) during dry season and 42
species were recorded at Orashi for the two seasons.
However, more than 70% of the plant species at Oguta
during the rainy season had the same frequency of
occurrence as that of the dry season. The study also
found that certain plant species were more abundant
during the dry season at both wetlands than the rainy
seasons. Panicum maximum was the most abundant
species across all seasons and sites. The family with the
largest important value index was Poaceae, Asteraceae,
and Phyllanthaceae. Species richness was lowest at
Orashi during the rainy season and highest at Oguta
during the dry season. Evenness of species was highest at
Orashi in the dry season, with low disparity between the
number of individuals within each species. The study
concludes that seasonality plays a significant role in
species composition and that monitoring phytodiversity
is crucial in assessing the health and stability of wetlands,
especially given the potential impact of anthropogenic
activities such as artisanal refining and sewage discharge.
Keywords :
Wetland, Species richness, Species evenness, phytodiversity, Anthropogenic activities, ramsar.
The study presents findings on the species
composition, frequency of occurrence, species abundance
and species diversity of two Ramsar wetlands (Orashi
and Oguta) in Nigeria during rainy and dry seasons. A
systematic sampling approach using the line-transect
method with dimensions of 150 m×50 m was employed
for the investigation. The result reveals that Orashi had
a higher species composition than Oguta for both
seasons, with most of the species being evenly distributed
across the ecosystem. A total of 47 species belonging to
26 families were recorded with Orashi having higher
species composition than Oguta. Thirty-nine (39) species
were recorded during rainy season at Oguta which
increased to forty-one (41) during dry season and 42
species were recorded at Orashi for the two seasons.
However, more than 70% of the plant species at Oguta
during the rainy season had the same frequency of
occurrence as that of the dry season. The study also
found that certain plant species were more abundant
during the dry season at both wetlands than the rainy
seasons. Panicum maximum was the most abundant
species across all seasons and sites. The family with the
largest important value index was Poaceae, Asteraceae,
and Phyllanthaceae. Species richness was lowest at
Orashi during the rainy season and highest at Oguta
during the dry season. Evenness of species was highest at
Orashi in the dry season, with low disparity between the
number of individuals within each species. The study
concludes that seasonality plays a significant role in
species composition and that monitoring phytodiversity
is crucial in assessing the health and stability of wetlands,
especially given the potential impact of anthropogenic
activities such as artisanal refining and sewage discharge.
Keywords :
Wetland, Species richness, Species evenness, phytodiversity, Anthropogenic activities, ramsar.
