ANGIOSPERM FLORA OF FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OYE-EKITI, OYE CAMPUS – A PRELIMINARY CHECKLIST

This study investigated and documented the diversity of angiosperms found within the main campus of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria. Given the numerous and continuous threat to species availability through infrastructural development, the study was aimed at preparing a checklist of all plant species existing within the campus prior to complete development of the University area. Species enumeration was carried out using conventional methods as described by authors of related studies. A total of 150 species distributed in 47 families and 112 genera was recorded, comprising herbs, creepers, climbers, geophytes, lianas, shrubs and trees. The shrubs dominated the list, with a total of fifty-five species (36.7%). The families Euphorbiaceae and Asteraceae were the most represented with 10.7% and 9.3% occurrence, followed by Fabaceae (Papilionoideae) with 7.3% (11 species). Twenty-one (21) families were represented with 1 species each, an indication of their importance in ecosystem balancing and habitat restoration. With the current pace of infrastructural development within the University Campus, we suggest the immediate establishment of arboretum or botanical garden for ex-situ conservation of the plant genetic resources within the study area.


INTRODUCTION
Nigeria has a rich biological diversity which is constantly faced with challenges of species conservation due to various anthropogenic activities (Soladoye et al., 2015).Such activities include conversion of rainforest and savannah woodlands into residential areas and for agricultural purposes such as farming and grazing (USAID, 2013).The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) (2010) described biodiversity as the varying living things on earth and the complex assemblages of ecosystems and communities.Plants are an important component of ecosystems and have enormous socio-economic importance.These plant communities often constitute individuals belonging to different life forms (Sutherland et al., 2013) such as trees, shrubs, herbs and climbing plants.
Scientists all over the world have always focused on the continuous assessment of biodiversity (Kolawole et al., 2021), and authors have documented species existing in different locations in Nigeria (Soladoye et al., 2005;Anoliefo et al., 2006;Chukwuma et al., 2020).Studies have also reported ethnobotanicals which are used in the management of ailments in Nigeria (Soladoye et al., 2014;Chukwuma et al., 2019), while some authors have noted the various plant families that are threatened or endangered, as well as the continuous threats to these species globally, especially in Nigeria (Gbile et al., 1981;Oguntala et al., 1996;Soladoye et al., 2015).The threats to the existence of biological collections are paradoxical, since plant and NJB, Volume 36 (1), June, 2023 Deborah, M. Chukwuma et al. animal species are being used more than ever before to document the impacts of global change on humans and nature (Pyke and Ehrlich, 2010).Kolawole et al. (2021) noted that in Nigeria, conservation studies are rare, while Kayode (2006) reported that there is currently no accurate database which contains all botanicals found in the country.Consequently, a species which is considered to be abundant might be on the verge of possible extinction if proper measures towards its conservation are not taken.Given the resultant effect of global warming on our society, the conservation of biological diversity becomes imperative.This study is part of the effort to promote conservation awareness in the Sub-Saharan Africa.Like many ecosystems, the study area has witnessed many anthropogenic activities such as clearing of vegetation for building, road construction, recreational park, sport complex, amongst others.Moreover, indiscriminate collection of plants for economic and medicinal purposes also contributes to biodiversity loss in the university campus.This study was aimed at documenting all existing plant species within the main campus of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, prior to the complete development of the University area.

Study Area
The study was carried out within the main campus of Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, which is situated on Latitude 7 o 47'56"N and Longitude 5 o 19'56"E (Fig. 1).The elevation ranges from 502 m -507 m above sea level, and topography is characterised by a combination of gently undulating and flat terrains (Abiye, et al., 2019).The area is characterised by a mix of secondary forest, marshy areas and regrowth vegetation where plants have been previously removed for farming activities.The area is composed of different life forms including floral and faunal species which have played various roles in the maintenance of the surrounding ecosystems.

Species Enumeration
The enumeration and collection of plant specimens were carried out between April and December, 2019.Plants collected include various life forms viz: creepers, climbers, herbs and lianas.The collected specimens were used in the preparation of herbarium specimens following conventional taxonomic practice (Okoli and Wilcox-Evwaraye, 1992;Kolawole et al., 2021).Specimens were carefully identified with the aid of taxonomic keys in literatures (Hutchinson et al., 1954(Hutchinson et al., , 1958(Hutchinson et al., , 1963(Hutchinson et al., , 1968(Hutchinson et al., , 1972;;Keay, 1989) and taxonomic illustrations and descriptions (Beentje, 2012).Correct scientific names with the authorities follow International Plant Name Index (IPNI) (https://www.ipni.org)and Plants of the World Online (https://www.powo.science.kew.org).A list of all species collected and identified was documented.This contains scientific names, families, habits, common names and local names.Voucher specimens prepared were deposited at Federal University Oye-Ekiti Herbarium (FUOH).NJB, Volume 36 (1), June, 2023 Angiosperm Flora of Federal University Oye-Ekiti

Figure 1 :
Figure 1: Map of Ekiti state showing location of the study area

Figure 2 :
Figure 2: Species distribution across plant habits

Table I .
List of plant species identified within the study area