The distribution of <i>Cyrtosperma senegalense</i> (Schott) Engl. in a seasonal wetland in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The distribution of Cyrtosperma senegalense (Schott) Engl. in relation to soil properties was conducted in a seasonal wetland in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Soil physicochemical properties were determined alongside identification of co-habiting plant species within study area. Ten plant species were encountered of which Cyrtosperma senegalense was the most abundant with density value of 9500±150.63 st/ha and highest frequency of 85% while Alchornea cordifolia had the least density value (300±43.54 st/ha.). Percentage organic carbon and total nitrogen, available phosphorus and potassium were relatively low in the soil. Abundance of exchangeable bases followed this order: Ca> Mg> Na. Similarly, the structure of heavy metals followed this order: Mn> Zn > Cu >Pb> Cd. The regression analysis showed that the density of C. senegalense associated positively with pH (r² = 0.9087), organic carbon (r² = 0.8574), available phosphorus (r² = 0.2831) and potassium (r² = 0.9292) and negatively with total nitrogen (r² = 0.6926) and calcium (r² = 0.8033). The result obtained from this study shows that plants adapt to different soil and could be used as baseline information on monitoring the state of wetlands within the province. Consequently, constant monitoring of the edaphic properties of this ecosystem will guard against the infiltration of pollutants and deleterious substances in future.

Key words: Cyrtosperma senegalense, seasonal wetland, soil properties, aquatic macrophytes