COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE OF PLANTS COLONIZING

ABSTRACT

Studies on ecological succession in urban settlements can be carried out on artificial structures. For this study, an artificial structure which is a bitumen decked rooftop located on the toilet annex of the faculty of life science building which houses various offices and three departments in the University of Benin, Ugbowo campus. This study investigates the composition, structure and diversity of plants found growing on the concrete/bitumen decked roof. Plant growth was monitored once a week for 24 weeks and sampling was done using 10 (0.5m x 0.5 m) quadrants arranged along 2 transects. Results showed plants belonging to 14 different families with Poaceae being the most abundant specie which shows their adaptation to conditions prevalent on the rooftop. The presence of hydrophytes like Pepperomia pellucida and Spigelia anthelmia were duly noted as well as mesophytes like Oldenladia corymbosa, xerophytes such as Pennisetum pedicellatum, accidental plants such as Terminalia cattappa and Psiduim guajava and ubiquitous plants like Euphorbia hyssopifolia. There was a relatively uniform pattern of species distribution on the rooftop. Growth was seen to increase in the first few weeks (weeks 1-6) followed closely by a rapid decline in growth due to the dry season from week 7 – 18. It then increased gradually from week 19 at the beginning of the rainy season. This study is an overview of the study of ecological succession on land previously inhabited but has gradually become suitable habitat for various plant species after following due processes of plant succession and disturbance.