Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the diversity and abundance of tree species at Ogba zoological garden and park, Benin City, Edo state Nigeria. The park was divided into three plots for proper assessment before inventory 2wwas carried out in the plots. The total tree flora of 100 species distributed among 20 Families. The study revealed huge diversity in tree flora within the sites assessed, with plot C been the richest with a diversity and species richness. pentaclethra microphylla was the most abundant species in Ogba zoo and park. Common trees found include afzelia africana ,dialium guinense ,gmelina arborea, nauclea diderrichii Etc and their uses includes as food, fruits, shades for man, aesthetic values.
Some of the major objectives of this study was to examine the abundance of tree species in the ogba zoological garden and nature park, to evaluate the diversity of tree species, to also note the importance of tree species in the nature park. Instrument that aided in the inventory process includes the measuring tape, diameter tape (used for measuring the diameter at the base and the diameter, haglof used to measure the height of the tree). In this study the tree species were enumerated and identified the useful plant of West African tropical Africa. Common names were also used to identify taxonomic species. Economic importance and other uses of tree species were obtained through some forestry related textbooks. Field inventory of tree flora was adopted in this study, data collected were determined using the following; Shannon-weiners index(H), relative abundance and relative density. This study revealed that pentaclethra microphylla was the most dominant tree species and it was distributed in the three different plots, Pentaclethra microphyhlla was the most distributed in plot 3 and was least distributed in plot 1 and plot 2. Following pentaclethra microphylla was funtamia elastica and it was distributed in three different plots.
The diversity and abundance of tree species in the Ogba zoological garden and nature park have been documented. It has been shown that the diverse tree species is a necessary component of the zoological garden and nature park. These diverse trees provide invaluable environmental and economic services and thus, are of great importance. Conservative measures should be put in place to checkmate their disappearance as well as promote cultivation of more trees.
