Tree species of Lekki Conservation Center, Lagos State, Nigeria
Paper Details
Tree species of Lekki Conservation Center, Lagos State, Nigeria
Abstract
Industrialization and commercialization has resulted in deforestation and reduction of important tree species which are of ecological and economic importance. Based on the aforementioned, this study was carried out to give inventory of the tree flora of Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos State. The study adopted a survey method using random sampling and concept mapping. Several visits were made to the site and sampling stations mapped out during the study. Tree species encountered were counted and marked for determination of the phyto-sociological characteristics, ethnobotanical information, socioeconomic and cultural uses of tree species encountered were documented. Determination of diameter at breast height (DBH) and percentage occurrence of species were carried out. A total of fifty seven (57) trees were encountered belonging species of twenty six (26) species and eighteen (18) families were encountered. The result showed that Chrysobalanus icaco L. was the most occurring species having a total of nine (9) individual trees with a mean diameter at breast height of 8.2m. This was followed by Elaeis guineensis Jacq with five (5) individual trees and mean DBH of 17.0m. Xylopia aethiopica Dunal and Vitex doniana L. occurred four (4) times each with mean DBH of 6.4m and 14.3m. The results of the study showed that tree species within the Lekki Conservation Center are of economic potentials while the conservation center also serves as means of tourist attraction. It is therefore important to encourage the conservation of tree species for sustainability.
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