ABSTRACT
This work was carried out to determine the
floristic composition, abundance and assemblage guild of avifauna in community forests of
Ikwuano area of Abia State, Nigeria. Twelve (12) plots
measuring 60m x 60m each were mapped in 4 major communities of Ikwuano (Oboro,
Ibere, Oloko and Ariam). Within each plot, three line transects measuring 20m x
60m were marked to facilitate access to the terrain. The three transects were
then divided into twelve subplots, each measuring 10m x 10m for the purpose of
identification and complete enumeration of
plant species that attains a minimum height of 16cm and above.
Enumerated plant species were tagged to avoid repeated counting of individual
species and unknown plant species were collected and identified in the
herbarium unit of Forestry and Environmental Management Department, Michael
Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. A total of eighty nine (89) plant species
belonging to forty six (46) families were recorded, of which Dactyladenia barteri had the highest percent relative abundance (8.96%), while Elaeis guineensis and Dialium guineense had 7.01% and 5.68% relative
abundance respectively. The following plant families Leguminosae-Pap.,
Moraceae and Rubiaceae were represented by six (6) plant species, while
Apocynaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Malvaceae were represented by four (4) plant
species each. Other families were represented by 1 or 3 plant species. Of the 89 plant species recorded, 54 were categorized as Least Concern
(LC), 3 Near Threatened (NT), 3 Vulnerable (VU) and 2 Data Deficient (DD) in
the IUCN red list of threatened species. Gnetum africana, Irvingia gabonensis, and Milicia excelsa were the
NT plant species recorded. Also, Terminalia ivorensis, Nauclea diderrichii, Garcinia sp. were the VU plant species documented in the area. Higher number of plant species diversity
were recorded in Ariam, while Oloko had more plant species abundance. Regarding the bird species of the
site, aural and visual observation were
adopted along the trail of 3 line transects of 20m x 60m of
the 60m x 60m main plot with the aid of binoculars for distant birds and mist
net for trapping of birds. Photographs of
birds caught were taken to validate their occurrence at the site as well as
their identification. 25 families comprising of 69 bird
species were recorded. Among the documented birds, 46 species were observed
within the area, while 23 species were absent during the study but were
mentioned in the textual literature referred to. Also, previously unrecorded
occurrences of Vidua chalybeata, Euplectes hordeaceus and Ardea melanocephala were documented in Ibere, which were absent from the
existing literature at the time of this study. Two (2) bird families (Ardeidae
and Accipitridae) of National Conservation interest were recorded in the area.
The Ibere community exhibits a higher level of bird species richness and
diversity compared to Ariam, Oboro and Oloko. The consensus ecological niche
modelling used for variable selection showed that Bende, Isialangwa South,
Osisioma Ngwa, Ohafia and Arochukwu possess ecological potentials to support
similar species assemblages as those documented in Ikwuano. The study’s
findings suggest that Ikwuano should be incorporated into the distribution map
of newly documented bird species as a recommended course of action. Continuous
monitoring exercise to track changes in bird assemblages over time should be
adopted so as to provide valuable information on species population trend. To
safeguard, enhance and sustain biodiversity stability, it is recommended to
engage the community and carry out habitat enhancement activities, particularly
in areas that support species categorized as Vulnerable, Near Threatened and of
National Conservation interest.
OBIAJUNWA, O (2024). A Study Of Floristic Composition And Assemblage Guild Of Avifauna In Community Forests Of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria:- Obiajunwa, Udoka P . Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Sep 08, 2024, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-study-of-floristic-composition-and-assemblage-guild-of-avifauna-in-community-forests-of-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-obiajunwa-udoka-p-7-2
OBIAJUNWA, OBIAJUNWA. "A Study Of Floristic Composition And Assemblage Guild Of Avifauna In Community Forests Of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria:- Obiajunwa, Udoka P " Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 25 Apr. 2024, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-study-of-floristic-composition-and-assemblage-guild-of-avifauna-in-community-forests-of-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-obiajunwa-udoka-p-7-2. Accessed 08 Sep. 2024.
OBIAJUNWA, OBIAJUNWA. "A Study Of Floristic Composition And Assemblage Guild Of Avifauna In Community Forests Of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria:- Obiajunwa, Udoka P ". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 25 Apr. 2024. Web. 08 Sep. 2024. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-study-of-floristic-composition-and-assemblage-guild-of-avifauna-in-community-forests-of-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-obiajunwa-udoka-p-7-2 >.
OBIAJUNWA, OBIAJUNWA. "A Study Of Floristic Composition And Assemblage Guild Of Avifauna In Community Forests Of Ikwuano Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria:- Obiajunwa, Udoka P " Mouau.afribary.org (2024). Accessed 08 Sep. 2024. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/a-study-of-floristic-composition-and-assemblage-guild-of-avifauna-in-community-forests-of-ikwuano-local-government-area-abia-state-nigeria-obiajunwa-udoka-p-7-2