AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF KAGORO/TSONJE RIPARIAN FOREST, KADUNA STATE
AN ASSESSMENT OF THE CURRENT ECOLOGICAL STATUS OF KAGORO/TSONJE RIPARIAN FOREST, KADUNA STATE
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Date
2011-09
Authors
ABAGAI, ROSE TAKAI
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Abstract
The current ecological status of the Kagoro/Tsonje riparian forest was assessed
and information was gathered on the flora and bird fauna, water quality
parameters and soil status. Other data collections were phytoplankton types and
population. Physiocochemical properties of the soil were tested .Modified
Whittakker plots were used to evaluate woody species for density, diversity and
similarity measure. One metre by one metre quadrats were used to evaluate
herbaceous plants for same parameters in addition to dry matter determination.
Density and diversity of algal groups in the water were determined using methods
described by APHA., while physicochemical parameters of water were tested
instrumentally and by laboratory procedures. Results showed that the population
of the woody plants in this riparian forest had declined within the period of one
year of study. The forest had a woody population of 336 plants in the encroached
area per hectare and 97 woody plants in the farmed area per hectare before the
farming season. After the farming season, the population of woody plants
decreased to 121 and 31 respectively. As a result of the disturbances of the forest,
the important Avian species Vannellus supercilliosus, Chrysococyx flavigularis,
Cassypha natalensis and Camphephage quiscalina which made the forest to be
known for its ornithological importance were not sighted at the time this study
was undertaken. The result of the water analysis showed abundance of
phytoplakton and Baccillariophyta as the highest algal division at all seasons.
The population of this division in the wet season was higher than the dry season
[119 and 36] respectively. This trend was similar for Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta
and Euglenophyta. Soil particle size of the riparian forest showed a non
significant (P> 0.05) difference between farmed and encroached forest segments
indicating the variability of soils in a riparian area. The organic carbon content
also showed a significant (P < 0.05) difference.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF
POSTGRADUATE STUDIES, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY,
ZARIA NIGERIA.
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR
THE AWARD OF MASTER OF SCIENCE (EDUCATION)
BIOLOGY. DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA NIGERIA.
SEPTEMBER,2011
Keywords
ASSESSMENT,, CURRENT,, ECOLOGICAL,, STATUS,, KAGORO/TSONJE,, RIPARIAN,, FOREST,, KADUNA STATE