Vol. 8 No. (1): 133 - 141 (2017): DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF TREES AND SHRUBS IN GURARA FOREST, KADUNA STATE

The study assessed the diversity of tree and shrub species of Gurara forest in Kaduna State.
Primary data on the field was collected by employing the plot count techniques by
randomly selecting five plots within the forest, measuring a 50 by 50 meters plot (0.25)
hectare on the ground for each plot. All the trees and shrubs species on the selected plots
were identified and enumerated. A total of 31 species were identified, 23 of which were
trees while the remaining 8 were shrubs. The tree stratum had 3,502 trees per hectare. Plot
3 had the highest number of trees per hectare (1,164 trees) followed by plot 2 (672trees)
while plot 1 had the least number of trees per hectare (226 trees). Acacia senegal had the
highest number of frequency (1,066trees) with a percentage composition of 30.44%. The
species was more common in plots 2 and 3 with 250/ha and 800/ha respectively. Family
Fabaceae with 10 species had the highest number of species. Others have 2 or single
species in the family. Tree species diversity and evenness were highest in plot 5 (5.72 and
2.12 respectively) and least in plot 4 (0.95 and 0.36 respectively). Similarity amongst the
plots was highest between plots 1 and 5 (65%) while plots 3 and 4 were very dissimilar
with a similarity index of 34%. There were 8 shrub species belonging to 7 families, with a
total of 642 individuals per hectare. Plot 3 had the highest shrub population of 323/ha.
Piliostigma thonningii with 329 frequency per hectare was the most frequent of all the
species. Though plot 3 had the highest number of individuals in almost all the species,
diversity and evenness indices were highest in plot 1 (1.56 and 0.97 respectively). Plots 1
vs 2 and 2vs5 were very similar with index of 80% each.