Keywords
relative dominance
species diversity
height
cover
How to Cite
Abstract
The study was aimed at assessing the flora characteristics of Sambisa Game Reserve. Preliminary study was carried out for the purpose of identifying and delineating major wildlife habitats of the game reserve based on major plant communities in which inventory of flora was done. Relative frequency and density of woody plant species was obtained by counting all woody plants present in a 15m x 15m quadrat laid at each 100m along established transects. Relative dominance of tree species were obtained by measuring girth sizes by placing a girth tape around the circumference of tree trunks at 1.3m off the ground. Importance value index of woody plant species were calculated using the results of relative frequency, relative density and relative dominance. Heights of trees were measured using clinometers. Crown area of tree species were obtained by measuring perpendicular distances of a tree crown with measuring tape. Survey for species listing, density and ground cover of herbaceous plant
species were carried out using 1m x 1m quadrat laid at 100m interval along established transects. There were 37 species of woody plants belonging to 19 families. The relative dominance of Diospyros mespiliformis (32.31) was higher than all the other woody plants. The highest importance value of 14.53 was obtained for Ficus species and least of 5.30 for Faidherbia albida. Over 50% of the woody plants were in the height class of 0≤3m. About 52% of trees were in the girth class of 20≤40cm. Tree crown area coverage ranges from 22.15% in Acacia-Ziziphus complex to 60.22% in the Khaya-Combretum association habitats. There were 24 species of herbaceous plants inventoried dominated by annuals covering 41.10% of the ground. The woody plants are the draught resistant and fire tolerant species characteristics of savannah woodland.
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