Airborne
palynomorphs of Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria were acetolysed
and analysed palynologically to determine the taxa of
biological importance present in the atmosphere. Out of
sixty- one (61) pollen types belonging to thirty-six (36)
plant families encountered, fifty (50) were identified to
species level. Five (5) to family level and one (1) were
unidentified. A total of 10356 pollen grains, 9491 fungal
spores, 308 pteridophyte spores, 238 diatoms, 60
dinoflagellate cysts, 66 algal cysts, 1533 charred Poaceae
cuticle/ trichomes, 3371 burnt plant epidermis and 324
insects/ insect parts were counted. The predominant pollen
types include those of Poaceae, Elaeis guineensis Jacq,
Lannea acida A.Rich, Nauclea latifolia S.M., Alchornea
cordifolia Sw, Syzygium guineense, Berlinia grandifolia,
Senna sp., members of the Asteraceae tubiliflorae complex
and Combretaceae/ Melastomataceae families. All these are
characteristic species of the Forest- Savanna ecozone. The
presence of pollen record of Corylus avellana, Encephalartos
sp., Ecbolium sp. and Ilex sp. is a valid evidence of long
distance transport. The excessive increase in the relative
abundance of burnt plant parts is an indication of annual
bush fire and residual precipitation associated with the
vegetation of the study area. The presence of burnt plant
parts and fungal spores in the atmosphere from aesthetic
plants affirms the great influence of anthropogenic
activities on the local vegetation. This study would provide
a good template which could be used to monitor the frequency
and intensity of indiscriminate bush fire and other
anthropogenic activities in the surrounding savanna
vegetation and provide adequate restoration and conservation
measures for safety health and environmental sustainability.
Keywords:
Aeropalynology,
Palynomorphs, Acetolysis, Anyigba, Nigeria
|