Soil status and seasonal variations of soil seed bank in Ibodi Monkey Forest, Ibodi, Atakumosa West Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria
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Date
2015
Authors
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Publisher
Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
Soil status and seasonal variation of soil seed bank in Ibodi Monkey Forest, Ibodi, Osun State, Nigeria, were studied to determine the species composition of the extant vegetation, the soil seed bank of the various physiognomies; evaluate the similarity between the composition of the germinable soil seed bank and the extant vegetation in the various physiognomies; as well as determine the seasonal variation of the soil seed bank and the status of the soil.This was with a view to determining the status of the forest with respect to the standing vegetation, soil seed bank, soil properties and the potential significance of the soil seed bank for vegetation restoration
Three distinct sites (Natural regrowth forest, Cocoa plantation and Tree Fallow) designated as A, B and C were selected from the study area. Seven sample plots, each of 25 m × 25 m were randomly selected from the three distinct sites. Species enumeration, identification and distribution into families of the standing vegetation were carried out. In each of the seven plots, soil samples were collected in five replicates at two different depths (0-15 cm and 15- 30 cm) in dry season and rainy season. The collected soil samples were subjected to seedling emergence for six months to determine the density and species composition of the seed banks of the three study sites. Soil samples were analyzed for the physico-chemical properties using the standard methods. The data collected were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics.
The results of seedling emergence showed that soil samples collected at 0-15 cm depth had a higher seed density than samples collected at 15-30 cm depth in both seasons. Herbaceous species dominated the seed bank of the three sites when compared to other life forms. Few woody species emerged from the soil seed bank in the samples collected from the three study sites during the two seasons. Site B (Cocoa plantation) had the highest species composition, while there was low similarity (8.77%-29.4%) in species composition between the standing vegetation and the soil seed bank. Shannon-Wiener index (Hʹ) revealed that the Regrowth forest had the highest community diversity (3.40) while the Cocoa plantation had the lowest diversity (2.50). Plant species richness ranges from 10.82 to 15.81 with the Regrowth forest being the most species-rich site, followed by the Tree Fallow site while the Cocoa plantation had the lowest.
The study concluded that the soil seed banks of the vegetation of Ibodi Monkey forest were dominated with herbaceous species and there was low similarity between soil seed bank and above-ground vegetation of the study area which indicates that the potential for vegetation restoration of Ibodi Monkey Forest from the soil seed bank may not be achievable. High level of disturbance increases seed bank density while low level of disturbance reduces the seed bank.
Description
xx,179p
Keywords
Soil seed, Seed, Soil, Vegetation, Monkey forest, Seasonal variation, Seed bank, Soil properties
Citation
Ademayowa, A.O. (2015). Soil status and seasonal variations of soil seed bank in Ibodi Monkey Forest, Ibodi, Atakumosa West Local Government Area, Osun State, Nigeria. Obafemi Awolowo University.