Occurrence and distribution of invasive plants in a Guinea Savanna University Campus

Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the occurrence and distribution of non-native invasive plants in the Federal University of Lafia  campus. Ten quadrants of size 1m2 was laid out systematically and positioned in alternate format along a 100 m line transect at 5 m  interval resulting into 30 quadrants distributed across three areas in the campus (protected area (PA), developed area (DA) and wetland  area (WA). The abundance of the non-native invasive plants and other plants found in the quadrants was determined. The diversity  indices were also quantified. The PA was observed to have the highest Shannon–Wiener index (H = 2.413) and evenness (0.620). The DA  has the lowest plant diversity indices. It was observed that the distribution of non-native invasive species in the study area was influenced  by the rate of disturbance occurring in each site. It was also estimated from result that the infestation of these plant species  will continue to increase along with continued disturbances from ongoing development of the permanent site of the University.