Species diversity patterns along the forest savanna boundary in Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the influence of human activities on the patterns of species diversities along the forest‐savanna boundary in Oyo state of Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

A transect was placed along the study area from the rainforest belt, through the forest savanna ecotone to the southern fringe of the Guinea savanna vegetation belt. Each study site was identified as forest or savanna or ecotone using the species found within them. Samples from trees with diameter at breast height ≥ 6 cm were collected and the numbers from the different species counted. Species diversity patterns were analysed using the Shannon and Simpson's Index.

Findings

Analysis of patterns of species diversity with the Shannon and Simpson's Index showed a decrease in the species diversity from sites with mature vegetation to the areas of vegetation succession irrespective of whether they contained forest or savanna vegetation. Also, species diversities was greater in the forest vegetation than in the savanna vegetation. The decrease in species diversity and loss in some species is attributable to the effect of landuse and other human interference along the forest savanna ecotone.

Originality/value

The study suggested measures to reduce biodiversity loss in the forest savanna zones of Nigeria.

Citation

Christiana Ndidi, E. and Adeniyi Suleiman, G. (2009), "Species diversity patterns along the forest savanna boundary in Nigeria", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 64-72. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830910922451