DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF ANGIOSPERM FLORA IN MONKIN FOREST, ZING LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, TARABA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study evaluates the distribution, abundance, and conservation status of angiosperm flora in Monkin Forest, Zing Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria, a savanna ecosystem facing significant anthropogenic pressures. Systematic sampling using the point-centered quadrat (PCQ) method along five 500-meter transects was employed to document 22 angiosperm species across 10 plant families. The Fabaceae family dominated, with Pterocarpus erinaceus (African rosewood, Madobiya) exhibiting the highest abundance (N=82) and Importance Value Index (IVI: 57.14). Other notable species included Eucalyptus globulus (N=31), Balanites aegyptiaca (N=23), and Azadirachta indica (N=22), while species like Psidium guajava (N=2) and Tectona grandis (N=3) showed low abundance, indicating potential conservation concerns. The Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H′=2.58) and Species Richness (S=22) suggest moderate species diversity compared to other West African forests. Invasive species, including Eucalyptus globulus, Azadirachta indica, and Leucaena leucocephala, were identified as threats due to their high water consumption and allelopathic effects, which suppress native flora. The anthropogenic activities revealed that farming (33.3%), grazing (27.8%), logging (22.2%), and hunting (16.7%) were the common activities which lead to habitat degradation, with 55.6% of respondents reporting reduced plant diversity, particularly affecting local species (60.0%). Conservation awareness was high (66.7%), but 44.4% of respondents considered existing measures inadequate.