Abstract

Abstract

Background: Agricultural expansion and plantation establishment, increased farming, lumbering and other activities, in Ebonyi State ,contribute to the loss of plant diversity. This work investigates the plant species, and the factors responsible for the distribution of undergrowth in  savanna woodland at Nwanforko village, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Methodology: A transect was drawn to saparate the study area from other vegetations, and divided into two halves. Four points were located at 30 meters interval along the base line. At each point, a  transect crossing the base line was constructed to produce a number of parallel lines, 30 metres apart, within which  two quadrats, each measuring 25m x 25m were laid randomly . A total of 15 plots in the site, the number of occurrences of a plant across of which was recorded as the frequency. Soil auger was used to collect top soil, 10 centimeter deep at four random points. The four samples from each point were bulked to constitute a composite sample, for determination of percentage nitrogen , calcium  and potassium. Results: A total of thirty-three  species ( trees  27.23%, and herbaceous 72.27%) were recorded, Imperata cylindrica, Andropogon sp., Eragrotis sp. and Desmondium sp.  having the highest occurrence of 15 each, Hybanathus sp., Gmelina arborea, Dioscorea sp, and Harungana madagascerensis the least, 4 each . Result of  soil analysis recorded 5.2% calcium, 0.3% potassium  and 0.2% nitrogen. Conclusion: Results showed that calcium, potassium  and nitogen are relevant in determining the distribution of under-growths in Savanna woodland, leading to low biodiversity of woody species and high of  the herbaceous.