Diversity and composition of tree species in the University of Maiduguri campus

Abstract

The research was carried out to determine the diversity of tree species in University of Maiduguri Campus. A stratified sampling technique was adopted for the study; the areas inventoried were divided into five categories namely; Administrative Area (ADA), Academic Area (ACA), Commercial Area (CMA), Recreational Area (RCA), and Residential Area (RDA). A grid line of 140 plots were drawn on the map with 25 % sampling intensity making 35 plots that were randomly selected. The plot sample adopted was circular plots of 12 m radius. One hundred and eighty-nine (189) trees were found in the campus, where sixty-two (62) were in the ADA, thirteen (13) in ADA, seventeen (17) in CMA, thirtynine (39) in RCA, and fifty-seven (57) in RDA respectively. Azadirachta indica (104) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis (35) had the highest number of stand representation in the ACA, ADA, CMA, RCA and RDA respectively. More over Adansonia digitata (1), Sizygium cumini (1), Mangifera indica (1) and Zizipus mauritiana (2) had the lowest number of tree species in the campus. The diversity of tree species and its composition in University of Maiduguri campus revealed that composition and diversity of tree species in the campus are low. Azadirachta indica and Eucalyptus camaldulensis were the most abundant tree species in the campus, while Faidherbia albida had the highest basal area measurement.  It is therefore concluded that, the diversity of tree species in the University of Maiduguri is generally low.