Palynological study of recent surface sediments from coastal area of Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

A palynology study of recent sediments from an 18 cm-core collected from the swamp area in University of Lagos, very close to the Lagos lagoon, was carried out. The recovered palynomorphs included pollen, fern spores, fungal spores and remains, and diatom frustules. Some of the major pollen documented include Arecaceae, Poaceae, Alchornea cordifolia, Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae and Rhizophora. The recovered palynomorph assemblages revealed the recent vegetation changes in this area, which suggests a dominance of open forest vegetation type. Anthropogenic impact especially farming was a key factor that determined palynomorph diversity and abundance.

Keywords: Lagos, Palynology, Vegetation changes, Human impact, Palaeoenvironment.