Interlink Continental Journal of Biological Sciences (ICJBS)
August 2015 Vol. 1(1), pp. 010-023
Copyright © 2015 Transcontinental Publishers

Full Length Research Paper

Flora species assessment in burnt brick-producing wetlands in Benue State

Agera, S.I.N* and Agbidye, F.S

Department of Forest Production and Products, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, P.M.B. 2373, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

Accepted 24 August, 2015

*Corresponding Author E-mail: stephenagera@gmail.com;  Phone: 2348058484045

Abstract

Vegetation clearing burning and soil excavation at burnt brick sites in wetland areas jointly or singularly exposes the soil to increased soil organic matter loss, insolation and water run0off which degrade the soil, leading to decreased soil productivity. This study was conceived to identify flora species sighted at burnt brick sites, identify the fuel wood tree species used in firing burnt bricks and outline the effects of removal of vegetation at burnt brick sites in Benue State, Nigeria. Eight out of twenty-three Local Government Areas were purposively selected for the study Belt transects were laid out at each of the selected brick sites (two per Local Government Area) and frame quadrants were used in estimating vegetation cover, density, frequency of species sighted at brick sites. The University of Agriculture Makurdi Herbarium, textbooks and the internet were user to identify plant species using local (Tiv language), common and scientific names. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse data. A total of 200 flora species were identified at brick sites belonging to 58 families. Also, 35 tree species were used in firing bricks with Prosopis africana being the most preferred fuel wood species. Flora species threatened by brick production activities included: Hyparrhenia involucrate Imperata cylindrical, Prosopis africana and Khaya senegalensis. Vegetation removal and accompanying soil excavation at brick sites among other effects, accelerated soil erosion, and altered the landscape at brick sites. Afforestation of brick sites should entail selection of  hardy, tolerant and fast- growing flora species suited to the properties of minesoil, and establishing them quickly under for the purpose of controlling erosion.

Keywords: Flora species, burnt brick production, devegetation, impact, wetlands and Benue State.

Cite this Reference:

Agera SIN, Agbidye FS (2015). Flora species assessment in burnt brick-producing wetlands in Benue State. Interlink Continental J. Biol. Sci. 1(1): 010-023.