Science Heritage Journal | Galeri Warisan Sains (GWS)

This work characterized the vegetation structure using tree heights, DBH (diameter at breast height) class distribution and percentage family cover of trees and herb as standard determinants of growth, production and diversity of three selected ecosystems (grazing, riparian and plantation ecosystems) in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Plot sampling, plant measurements and identification followed standard practices. Correlation was determined between plant height and DBH at each ecosystem using the Pearson’s methods on Minitab 16 software. Consequently, tree height classes (m) 6-10 and 11-15 had the highest frequency (154) while DBH class 51-100cm was the most dominant. The riparian vegetation had the largest percentage family cover (15 families) with Fabaceae having the highest percentage (43.2%). This was followed by the grazing (9 families) and plantation ecosystems (3 families). Percentage family cover of herbs was largest in the grazing ecosystems (21 families) where family Poaceae had the largest cover (37.04%). Moderate relationship exists between height and DBH in the three ecosystems. Results provided sufficient evidences of anthropogenic pressure on the tree species. The plantation ecosystem showed signs of excessive vegetal perturbation. The information provided is crucial in the management, conservation and sustainable utilization of documented plant species on the basis of the existing vegetational physiognomy and family in the affected ecosystems.