A survey of the floristic composition and density in Kwesati Forest Reserve USSA Local Government Area Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was conducted in Kwesati Forest reserve in Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria. The floristic composition and  density were assessed to determine the current status of the forest. Nineteen hectares of sample plot of lands were laid out in the forest.  Each of the hectare plot was divided into four equal sizes of 50m x 50m (2,500m² ), one was randomly selected for the sampling. A total of  80 different tree species belonging to 23 families were encountered in the study area. Tree species in the family of Fabacaceae had the  highest (9) representation in the forest. The predominant species are Cola mellinii, Phyllanthus discoides, Funtumia elastica,  Tetrapleura tetraptera, Erythropheleum suavolens, and Macaranga burfolia. Density of trees per hectare were ranged from 56 to 136. A  total of 4,172 were recorded with an average of 104 per hectare. The total basal area was 19.6774m² with an average of 1. 0356m² per  hectare. The number of trees per hectare in the study area is very low which signified that there is high human interference. Massive enrichment planting with valuable species is recommended to increase stocking in the forest