Occurrence and distribution of Euphorbia Heterophylla Linn on the main campus of the University of Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

The main goal of this study was to investigate the presence, distribution, and possible effects of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn. on the biodiversity at the main campus of University of Abuja in Nigeria, between June and October, 2023). One-meter-square (1m2) quadrats were randomly selected from each of the five (5) sampling sites, namely: the Center for Distance Learning, the Faculty of Agriculture, the Education Trust Fund, the University Press, and the Female Hostel. The following five (5) parameters: weed density, frequency (actual number of occurrences of Euphorbia heterophylla) abundance, diversity, and relative frequency (percentage of the total occurrences), were collected and analyzed to determine the occurrence or distribution of a species. From the results, the Faculty of Agriculture had the highest density of Euphorbia heterophylla Linn (55. 0/m2), followed by University Press (30.3m2). The highest percentage of weeds was found at the Faculty of Agriculture (55. 00 %), followed by the Education Trust Fund (34.33 %), University Press (30.25 %), and the female Hostel (00 %). Faculty of Agriculture (33.81 %) had the highest relative density, followed by University Press (31.68 %), Education Trust Fund (22.78 %), Female Hostel (22.42 %), and Center for Distance Learning (17.76 %). The lowest frequency was that of the Education Trust Fund, while the highest frequency was 100 % for the Faculty of Agriculture and the University Press. It is therefore, concluded that the high density and frequency of Euphorbia heterophylla at University of Abuja, suggests its successful establishment and potential dominance in the study locations, and hence, potential invasive, and possibility of outcompeting other species and altering the ecosystem's balance with implications to reduce plant diversity and ecosystem healthiness. This paper recommends that in order to reduce soil seed bank and successfully mitigate Euphorbia heterophylla infestations, timely weed control should be implemented using appropriate and efficient techniques, especially integrated weed management.