Floristic and diversity trend of regeneration in a quartz dominated quarry impacted site in parts of Umuoke, in Obowo local government area of Imo State, Nigeria

This study reveals the floristic and diversity trend of regeneration status of plant species in a quartz dominated quarry site at Umuoke in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. A simple random sampling method based on a standard procedure for ecological assessment along specific transect was adopted for the study. Results show that Poaceae had the highest species diversity in terms of richness with 19 species, Spermacoce verticillata (Rubiaceae) recorded maximum diversity in terms of evenness and very abundant in frequency of occurrence. The study site had an increased herbaceous habit, heterogeneous secondary vegetation, and mosaic nature with a representative 55 species been recorded. The herbaceous increase in the study site is an indication of a primary regenerative succession which seems to be progressive toward shrubby habit and even to a tree forest habit if protected. Also species in their diverse capabilities and various mode of regeneration status established through coppicing, rhizome and seedlings. The total seedling / sapling (density) in the study site recorded 41.4, with the highest relative density of 14.49% recorded for Oldenlandia corymbosa Linn. The highest frequency of occurrence was recorded as 80
4.44% for Spermacoce verticillata Linn, while the highest species abundance was recorded with Oldenlandia corymbosa Linn having 15 Ξ 10.16%, which also recorded the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) of 26.87 and species diversity richness and evenness of 0.09 and 0.05 respectively. The ratio of abundance to frequency (A/F) indicate the distribution pattern with 11 species been regular and 13 species been random, while 55 regenerating species been contiguous in pattern. With the greater number of species in contiguous distribution pattern the present findings provide a complete view of regeneration trend in the study area. It is evident that the degraded forest of the Umuoke quarry site is turning into a heterogeneous natural forest again. The area is dominated by herbaceous regenerating species that could result in the establishment of a diverse natural forest, hence with a greater contagion pattern and if protected to conserve the seedlings or saplings of regenerating species.

Author(s): Edwin-Wosu N. L*, E. A. B. Edu and O. M. Okeke

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