Assessment of herbaceous plant species diversity and distribution pattern of roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus, Desmarst 1804) wildlife habitats in Zugurma Sector, Kaniji Lake National Park, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on the diversity and distribution pattern of herbaceous plants species in Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus, Desmarst 1804) wildlife habitats of Zugurma sector, Kainji Lake National Park, Nigeria. Four (4) out of the five (5) existing wildlife habitats in Zugurma sector were randomly selected for the study. Two (2) line transects of 4 km each were randomly laid on each of the selected wildlife habitats. Along each transects, four (25m x 25m) temporary plots were laid in an alternate direction. Furthermore, five sub-transects of 5m were laid at 5m interval in each of the 25m × 25m plot. Five samples points were collected from each sub-transect using step point techniques for herbaceous plant species assessment. A total 65 herbaceous plant species were encountered belonging to 7 families with a mean density/ha of 902 individuals/ha in the study area. Out of which 27 herbaceous plant species were present in all the four wildlife habitats of Zugurma sector prominent species were: Aspilia africana, Mimosa invisa, Mimosa pudica, Andropogon gayanus, Andropogon tectorum and Brachiaria deflexa. However, Cyperus iria was only encountered in one habitat of the Zugurma sector. It was observed that the national park was suffering from loss of biodiversity as a result of human activities such as illegal hunting, cattle grazing, uncontrolled burning, illegal felling and mining. Therefore, there should be proper enforcement of strict laws and orders governing the biodiversity conservation and management of the National Park.