Ecological Status of Medicinal Plants in Some Selected Land Use Types (LUT) of Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Senchi A A, O Y Ogunsanwo and I O Lawal

This study aimed to assess the ecological status of medicinal plant in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto state, Nigeria. Data for this research was collected using three out five land use types. The three Land Use Types (woodlot, farmland and Fadama land) were purposively selected in each LGA based on accessibility. Using a sampling intensity of 2% proportionate to size, sampling plots (50 m x 50 m) were demarcated in each LUT for tree species enumeration. Five sub-plots (5 m x 5 m) were established in each plot for wildlings and saplings assessments. All plants were identified to species level. Relative density and Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H ́) were computed. Eucalyptus camaldulensis (29.4%), Adansonia digitata (28.8%) and Azadirachta indica (94.6%) were the relative density in Fadama land, Farmland and woodlot respectively. There were 34 plant species representing 23 families across LUT. Highest (2.42) and least (0.30) diversity of trees occurred in farmland and woodlot, respectively. Wildlings and saplings had the highest (1.66 and 0.90) diversity in Fadama land, while woodlot had the least (0.18) wildlings and no saplings. From the results, Sokoto Metropolis was endowed with medicinal plants, although mostly are sourced from the wild. Cultivation of medicinal plants in the area was recommended.

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