Keywords
Shannon diversity index
Mid-domain effect
Mid altitudes
asl
How to Cite
Abstract
This study was carried out to determine woody plants diversity and pattern of distribution along altitudinal gradients of Atlantika mountains, Nigeria. Five mountains of Sadaki, Komni, Wagi, Wari and Rangi were sampled for the mountain range. A Transect was taken on each mountain and 20m × 20m plots were demarcated at five elevations of 0-400m asl, 400-450m asl, 450-500m asl, 500-550m asl and >550m asl along the transects. All woody plant species on the demarcated plots were sampled and identified. A total of eleven families of woody plants were identified on the Atlantika mountain range. Shannon diversity index (HI) was used to calculated diversity at each elevation. The results from the study revealed that the altitude 400-450m asl had the highest diversity of woody plant species (HI=2.23) followed by altitude < 350m asl (HI=2.07). Altitudes 450-500m asl, 350-400m asl and >500m asl
had HI values of 2.18, 1.97 and 0.95 respectively. The distribution of woody plant species on the Atlantika mountains follows the theory of mid domain effect with highest diversity at mid altitudes.
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