Assessment of Invasive and Non-invasive Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Mangrove Ecosystem Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
Diversity, Ibeno, Invasive, Non-invasive speciesAbstract
Invasive Alien Species are currently considered as the second leading cause of extinctions of documented species and the third threat coming for species at risk of extinction. The study assessed the invasive and non-invasive plant species composition and diversity in Mangrove Ecosystem, Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Two 10m x 10m transects were laid within the invasive and non-invasive stations for the evaluation of species abundance using a random sampling technique. The data acquired from the composition of plants was used to compute the abundance, diversity and evenness of plants in the study area using standard methods. Results showed that 7 different plant species: Rhizophora racemose, Rhizophora mangle, Acrostichum aureum, Cyperus janicus, Nypa fruticans, Avicennia germane and Paspalum vaginatum were found belonging to 6 families: Rhizophoraceae, Avicenniaceae, Pteridaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae and Arecaceae in which Rhizophoraceae was the highest (42.9%). Invasive plant discovered was Nypa fruticans in mangrove ecosystem. Non-invasive plants had the highest diversity (2.12) and evenness (0.360). The study concluded that both invasive and non-invasive plant species are found in the study area, but the invasive species was mainly dominated by Nypa fructicans which is gradually taking over the entirety of Mangrove Ecosystem in Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. Nypa fruticans is monotypic and have negative impact on environment, biodiversity and economic of the people living in the community. It is therefore recommended among others that awareness and community participation must be established to combat the expansion of the alien species in Ibeno, LGA.
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