Research Article

Evaluation of the phytoecological indicator species in the airborne palynomorphs from Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria

*¹Essien BC and ²Nkang AE

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Kogi State University, Anyigba, Nigeria

²Department of Botany, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author E-mail: benjaminessien8@gmail.com

Accepted 10 November 2013

Abstract

Airborne palynomorphs from eight localities in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria were analyzed palynologicaly for their phytoecological indicator species. A total of fourty-seven (47) pollen type belonging to twenty- nine (29) plant families were encountered. Indicator species identified were those of forest (2378), savanna (6819) and human impact (823) pollen grains. The predominant indicator species were pollen of Alchornea cordifolia Sw., Berlinia grandifolia (Vahl) Hutch. And Dalz., Commiphora africana, Elaeis guineensis Jacq., Nauclea latifolia Sm., Lannea acida A. Rich., Syzygium guineense, and members of the families Poaceae, Combretaceae/ Melastomataceae and Asteraceae tubiliflorae complex. Analysis of variance for the various phytoecological indicator species shows that there was no statistical significant difference (P>0.05) between the pollen recorded for the various indicator species. Indicators of Savanna species were the highest pollen contributors. The variation in the monthly pollen counts (of families) and individual pollen types at different sites suggests that the atmospheric concentration of pollen is influenced not only by the meteorological factors, but is essentially a function of the frequency, density and abundance of plant species as well as their flowering behavior at a given locality. Results confirmed the vegetation of the study area to be Derived Savanna despite high level of anthropogenic activities. The results of this study have shown the various phytoecological indicator species in the study environment; most of which are at the verge of extinction through series of anthropogenic activities. Such plants could be properly conserved and their exploitation managed to prevent extinction thereby enhancing biodiversity sustainability.

Keywords: Phytoecological, Palynological, Airborne Palynomorphs, Indicator species, Kogi, Nigeria