Eric Et Al., 2019 ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION MATERIALS AND

Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 15(2): 15-22 Published September, 2019 Eric et al., 2019

POPULATION ECOLOGY OF PLANTS CONSERVED IN HOMEGARDEN OF ORUK ANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

*Eric, E. E., **Udofia S. I. and *Ejizu, A. N. *Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Jericho Hill, Ibadan, Oyo State. Nigeria. **Department of Forestry and Natural Environmental Management, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Correspondence Author: [email protected] 07067717999

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess the population ecology of plant species conserved in homegardens of Oruk Anam Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study specifically identified plants species components, plants species diversity and richness in homegardens of the study area. The study area was stratified into 9 sample units based on existing 9 clans, from where 30% of villages were randomly selected from each of the clans making a total of 50 villages. 10 homegarden/households were further randomly selected from each of the sample villages. Data were collected using direct observations and physical field enumeration. Menhinick index and Simpson index models were used to compute richness and diversity indices respectively. Results showed that 87different plant species were inventorized with densities of each plant ranging from 2 to 27 individuals ha-1 and were classified into 6 life-forms (herbs, climbers, shrubs, trees palms, and bamboos) representing 50 different plant families. Plant species richness and diversity indices of homegardens in the study area were significantly high. All the plant species were found to be of socio-economic, medicinal and environmental value to the homegarden owners.

Key words: Population, ecology, plant diversity and richness, homegarden

INTRODUCTION Homegarden with trees are one of agroforestry practices known to be ecologically sustainable and diversifies livelihood of local community because of the obvious abundance of different plants components of diverse families and life-forms. One of the solutions to meet diverse people’s requirement with fixed land is through the application of agroforestry which is more advantageous than monocropping (Mcneely and Schroth, 2006). Homegarden agroforestry is also believed to be more diverse and provide multiple services for household than other monocropping system and this is due to the combination of crops, trees and livestock (Linger, 2014). Homegarden is an agroforestry practice that is globally known to have dense plant species population combined with livestock which promotes enormous capacity to yield multiples of products to improve farmers’ social, economic and environmental conditions (Udofia, 2007). Adams (1986) and Udofia (2007) stated that homegarden has been a major subsistence strategy for man since creation, and their forms and functions are intimately related to the evolution of society, culture and agriculture. Researches on the ecological conditions of homegardens are important in order to understand the dynamics and potentials of the practice in both ecological and socio-economic dimensions. There is therefore, the need to identify the plants species components of homegardens in the study area and to determine the degrees of plants species diversity and richness of plant community in homegardens of the study area and also the need to document ecology of plant in the study area for adequate conservation, management and sustainability of the existing plant population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area Oruk Anam is one of the Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State (Fig, 1), and lies between latitudes 4o49′ and 4o82′ N and longitudes 7o39′ and 7o65′ E (Akwa Ibom State (AKS), 1989). It is located on the southwestern part of Akwa Ibom State and is divided into nine clans, namely Inen, Obioakpa, Ibesit Nung Ikot, Nung Ikot, Nung Ita, Ndot, Ibesit, Abak Midim and Ekparikwa, with a population of 171,839 (NPC, 2006). The study area has three distinguishable vegetation types namely; the saline water swamp forest, NJAFE VOL. 15 No. 3, 2019 15

NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT (NJAFE) , Vol 15 (3) , September, 2019 https://www.eruditescholars.net Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 15(2): 15-22 Published September, 2019 Eric et al., 2019 fresh water swamp forest and the rainforest belt. It has a mean rainfall of about 2,200 mm to 3,500 mm with sunshine ranging from 1,400 to 1,500 hours per year. Average temperature ranges from 23oC to 31oC in most parts of the year (AKS, 1989). The soils are well drained, deeply weathered and formed sandy, course-loamy materials, have Udic moisture regime, iso-hypertermic temperature regime and broadly classified as Utisol (Obi and Udoh, 2012). Common crops in the area include Telferia (fluted pumpkin) okro, pepper, maize, cassava, yam, coco-yam, melon, Gnetum, bitter leaves and waterleaves. Tree crops commonly found are Oil palm, Mango, Guava, Citrus spp, Pineapple, Avocado pear, African pear, African star apple, Breadfruit, Plantain, Banana and Coconut (AKS, 1989).

Fig. 1: Map of Oruk Anam Local Government Area showing the study Area. Source: Geography Department, University of Uyo (2017)

Sampling techniques and data collection: Physical field enumeration was carried out after a reconnaissance survey in Oruk Anam Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study area NJAFE VOL. 15 No. 3, 2019 16

NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURE FOOD AND ENVIRONMENT (NJAFE) , Vol 15 (3) , September, 2019 https://www.eruditescholars.net Nigerian Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment. 15(2): 15-22 Published September, 2019 Eric et al., 2019 was stratified into 9 sample units based on the existing clans. Thirty percent of the villages in each of the nine (9) clans were randomly selected, while 10 homegardens were further randomly selected from each of the sample villages for enumeration. Plot-based method of sampling using quadrats of 10m x 10m was adopted for plant enumeration. Plant species found in the quadrats were then identified and counted, and these were used to compute species richness and species diversity. Table 1: Selection of sample villages and households/homegardens in Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria for enumeration Clan Total number of No of villages randomly No of households/homegardens villages selected (30%) selected for enumeration Abak Midim 35 11 110 Ekpara- akwa 14 4 40 Ibesit 19 6 60 Inen 19 6 60 Nung Ita 9 3 30 Ndots 30 9 90 Ibesit Nung Ikot 21 6 60 Nung Ikot 5 2 20 Obio Akpa 11 3 30 Total 163 50 500 Source: Field data 2017

Method of data Analysis The enumerated homegardens plant species in Oruk Anam Local Government Area were analyzed for diversity index and richness index using the following formulae stated below. (a) Species richness was analyzed using the formula below; R = S Equation 1 N Where; R = Menhinick’s (1964) plant species index S = Number of species. N = Total number of individuals in the plot. (b) Diversity: species diversity was calculated using the Simpson’s index of Diversity (1949) as follows: Where

Equation 2

D = Simpson’s index of Diversity, N = Total number of individuals encountered

n1 = Number of individuals of ith species encountered.

RESULTS Plant Species Components in Homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Details of number plant species, families and life-forms enumerated in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria are presented in Table 2. Table 3 shows the level of frequency of species enumerated at the sample clans. Eighty-seven different plant species were enumerated. Densities of the plants ranged generally from two to twenty-seven individuals ha-1. The plants were classified into six life-forms (herbs, climbers, shrubs, palms, bamboos and trees) and 50 families (Table 3). Rustaceae family had the highest number of plant species. In terms of life-forms, trees had the highest frequency of 33 (37.93%) plants species, herbs 25 (28.74%), shrubs 14 (16.09%), climbers 11 (12.64%), palms 3 (3.45%) and the least bamboo 1 (1.15%). All palm species enumerated were found to have equal densities (5ha-1) in the homegardens in Oruk Anam LGA. All the 87 (100%) species were observed in Abak Midim clan, followed by Ndot, 84 (96.99%), species and Ekpara Akwa, 81 (93.10%).

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Table 2: Plant species found in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Scientific Name (Herbs) Family Common Name Ethnic Name Density (ha-I) Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Malvaceae Okro Moench Etikke 12 Aframomum meleguata K. Zingiberacceae Alligator pepper Ntuen ibok 6 Schumz Aloe-vera vulgaris (Lam) Amaranthaceae Aloe-vera - 5 Amarantus caudate L. Portulacaceae African spinach Iyang afia 7 Ananas comosus (L) Merrill Bromeliaceae Pineapple Eyop mbakara 6 Arachisz hypogeal L. Papillionaceae Ground nut Mmansan 4 Bryophyllum pinnatum Crassulaceae Air plant 7 Capsicuzm frutescens L. Solanaceae African pepper Ntok ntuen 6 Colocasiza esculenta (L.) schott Aracaceae Cocoyam Ata ikpong 10 Colosynthis vulzgaris Cucrubitaceae Melon Ikon 9 Costus afzar ker-Gawl Costaceae Bush cane Mbritem 6 Curucmin Tumeric Turmeric Adan unen 5 Cymbogon citrate (DC) stapf. Gramineae Lemon grass (Poaceae) Ebana 9 Ipomea batatas (L) Lam. Convolvulaceae Sweet potatoes Ediam 10 Hyptis suauveolens Lamiaceae Curry leaf Iko 4 Jatropha tajorensis Euphorbiaceae Hospital too far - 5 Justicia schimperi (hochst) Acanthaceae Hunters weed Danby Mmeme 9 Mucuna urenus Leguminoseae Velvet bean Ibaba 7 Saccharum officinarium L. Graminceae Sugar cane Mbokok 5 Sesamuan macrocarpum Solanaceae Garden egg Nya 4 Talinum triagulare (Jacq.) willd. Portulacaceae Water leaf Mmong Mmong Ikong 27 Thaumatococcus danielli Araceae Wrapping leaf Mfong 11 Zanthosoma sagittifolia (L) Araceae Cocoyam Ndana - Schottz Ikpong 7 Zea mays L. Graminceae Maize Abakpa 21 Zingiber officinale Zingiberaceae Ginger 3 Shrubs Species Family Common Name Density (ha-I)z Anacardium occidentale L. Anacardiaceae Cashew Kasiu 2 Annona muricata L. Anonaceae Sour sop Sawa-sawa 4 Dennettia tripetala bak Annonaceae Pepper fruit Nkarika 2 Heinsia crinata (Afzel.) G. Bush apple Atama 9 Taylor Rubiaceae Lasienthera afzricana P. Beauv. Icacinaceae Cat leaf Editan 8 Manihot esculenta crantz Euphorbiaceae Cassava Iwa 11 Musa paradisica L. Musaceae Plantain Ukom 21 Musa sapientum L. Musaceae Banana Mboro 13 Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) Bignoniaceae Boundary tree seeman ex bureau Itumo 3 Ocimum gratissimum L. Lamiaceae Bush tea Ntong 7 Pierocarpus erinaceae Craib Papillionaceae Camwood Mkpa 3 Pridium guajava L. Myrtaceae Guava Woba 4 Vernonia amygdalina Asteraceae Bitter leaf Etidot 9 (Compositae) Vigna sinensis Beans Okoti 3 Leguminosaea Climbers speczies Family Common Name Density z(ha-I) Dioscorea alata L. Dioscoeaceae Water yam Ebre 6

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Dioscorea bulbifera L. Dioscoeaceae Ariel yam Edomo 3 Dioscorea dumetorum (Kunth) Dioscoeaceae Sweet yam Pax Enem 5 Dioscorea cayenesis Lam. Dioscoeaceae Yellow yam Akpana 4 Dioscorea rotundata Poir Dioscoeaceae White yam Ndiaha 9 Gnetum africana welw. Gnetaceae African salad Afang 11 Gongromena latifilium Benth Asclepiadaceae Bitter vine Utasi 8 Lycopersiscumz esculenta mill. Solanaceae Tomatoes Tomatos 5 Teracarpidium zconophorum Euphorbiaceae African walnut (Mull. Arg.) Hutch & Dalz. Ekporo 5 Piper bethel schum. & Thonn. Piperaceae Black pepper Odusa 5 Telferia ocidentale Hook. F. Dioscoeaceae Fluted pumpkin Nkong Ubong 12 Tree species Family Common Name Density (ha-I) Alstonia boonei De Wild Apocynaceae Stool wood Ukpo 3 Azadiracta indica Meliaceae Neem Dogonyaro 3 Bochholzia coriaceae Caparadeceae Wonderful kola Ibong yorouba 8 Carica papaya L. Caricaceae Pawpaw Okpod 3 Casuarinas equisetifolia L. Casuarinaceae Whistling pine Eto Afim 5 Ceiba pentandraz (L) Gaertn Bombadaceae Kapok tree Ukim 2 Chrysophyllum albidum Sapotaceae African star apple Udara 4 Citrus sinensis (L.) Osb.tree Rutaceae Sweet orange Inige sokoro 5 Citrus aurantifolilia (christn) Sour lime Iyummo 3 Swingle Rutaceae mkpri sokoro Citrus limetia sevile Sweet lime Inige mkpri 4 Rutaceae sokoro Citrus limonl (L) Burm F. Rutaceae Lemon Udahaya 3 Citrus reticulata blanca Rutaceae Tangerine Sokoro 2 Mbakara Citrus paradise macfad Grape fruit Sokoro 2 Rutaceae ntantan Cola acuminate (P.beauv.) Schott Sterculiaceae Kola nut & endi.z Ibong 2 Cola gigantia Sterculiaceae African kola Ndiya 4 Coula edulis baill Olacaceae African walnut Ekom 3 Delonix regia Fabaceae Jacaranda Eto Nsek 3 Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) H. J. Burseraceae Native pear Lam Eben 4 Eucalyptus camadulzensis Myrtaceae Eucalyptus Eto Ofim 5 Garcinia kola Heckel Clusiaceae Bitter kola Efiant 4 Gmelina arborea roxb Verbanaceae Gmelina Eto Udaikang 4 Havea brasiliensis (Kunth) Muell Euphorbiaceae Rubber tree Arg. Okpo 4 Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry- Irvingiaceae Bush Mango Uyo 2 Lecomte ex) Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae Mango Mankoro 4 Moringa Oleifera Moringaceae Moringa - 6 Mtocarpus communis Lam Moraceae Breadfruit Ubong mbakara 2 Musanga ceceropiolodes R. Br. Cecropiaceae Corkwood Uno 4 Pentaclethra marophylla benth Mimosaceae African oil bean tree Ukana 2 Persea Americana miller Lauraceae Avocado pear Eben Mbakra 4 Terminalia catapa L. Combretaceeae Indian almond Mmansan 3

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mbakara Tetrapleura tetrapteral (Schum Mimosaceae Aidan tree & thonn) Taub. Uyayzak 4 Theobroma cacao L. Sterculiaceae Cocoa Koko 3 Tylopia aethiopium(Dunal) A. Annonaceae African pepper Ata 5 Rich Palms species Family Common Name Ibibio Name Density (ha-I) Cocos nucifera L Rutaceae Coconut Isip eyop 5 Elaise gzuineensisum Jacq. Arecaceae Oil palm Eyop 5 Raphia hooker mann & wendl. Arecaceae Wine palm Ukod 5 Bamboo species Common Name Ibibio Name Density (ha-I) Banbusa vulgazris schrad. Ex. Graminaceae Bamboo Wend Nyanyaha 3

Table 3: Summary of plant species, families and life-forms found in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Plant life-forms No. of families No. of plant species Percentage Herbs 22 25 28.74 Shrubs 11 14 16.09 Climbers 8 11 12.64 Trees 27 33 37.93 Palms 1 3 3.45 Bamboo 1 1 1.15 Total 6 50 87 100

Plant Species Diversity and Richness in Homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The computed plant species richness and plant species diversity in Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is shown in Table 4. Plant diversity index of 0.43 was calculated while plant richness index of 1.72 was calculated. The diversity and richness indices of the 9 sample clans are also presented in Table 5. Computed values at all the 9 clans and the entire study area revealed the presence of high diversity and high richness of plant species. Table 4: Plant species diversity and richness indices in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria Clans Diversity index Richness Index

Abak Midim 0.014 3.710 Ekpara Akwa 0.014 4.807 Ibesit 0.016 4.478 Inen 0.016 4.660 Nung Ita 0.020 4.448 Obio Akpa 0.017 4.704 Ndot 0.015 4.179 Ibesit Nung Ikot 0.019 4.455 Nung Ikot 0.020 5.099

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DISCUSSION Plant species components in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Recent studies in homegardens have generated the concern for adequate knowledge of their plant components and structure, and such knowledge is necessary for ecological understanding of homegarden ecosystems in different agro-ecological zones Udofia et al. 2016; Udofia, 2007). About 87 different plant species were inventoried in homegardens of Oruk Anam, LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with densities of each plant ranging from two to twenty-seven individuals ha-1 and classified into six life-forms (herbs, climbers, shrubs, palms, bamboos and trees) and representing 50 different plant families. All the plant species were found to be of socio-economic, medicinal and environmental valuable to the homegarden owners. The number of species, although a little higher than the 81 plant species enumerated by Udofia (2007) could be due to increasing awareness that homegardens are more dependent ecosystems for the conservation of valuable socio-economic species due to their proximity to living homes. The result is similar to the findings of Maroyi (2009), who documented 69 plant species in homegardens of Nhema, Zimbabwe, thereby confirming homegardens as important for poor households to overcome adversity and meet basic needs. Tynsong and Tiwari (2010) finding from Meghalaya, India showed that homegarden contributed 7% of the total household income. Food plants densities in the study area were found to be higher than other utility plants species. The finding corroborates Kumari (2009), who argued that the higher the household expenses, the higher the food plant density and the lower the total plant diversity. Plant species diversity and richness in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. There has been a growing scientific evidence supporting the importance of homegardens as biodiversity hotspots, although knowledge of patterns of their contribution to conservation of across climate and culture in Africa is still limited (Salako et al., 2014; Udofia, 2011b; Udofia, 2007).This is largely due to high diversity and richness of plant species usually recorded in homegardens across the many continents of the world (Tesfaye, 2005; Tynsong and Tiwari, 2010; Udofia et al., 2012; Salako et al., 2014; Udofia et al., 2016). High diversity index of 0.43 and high richness index of 1.72 were computed for plant species in homegardens of Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. All the nine clans in the study area also had high diversity and richness indices, indicating the fact that homegardens in the area are endowed with abundant biodiversity base. Perhaps, this was responsible for a high level of profit making from homegardens in the study area (Eric et al., 2019). Tesfaye (2005) found that richness is positively related with household income, and that evenness of species is low in homegarden owned by rich household compared to that of poorer households. Most of the households surveyed during this study were low income earners, who depend on homegardens for income, food and medicine. High diversity and richness have been recorded in homegardens in Nigeria and other countries (McNeely and Schroth, 2006; Udofia, 2007; Verchot et al., 2007). The high diversity and richness of plant species in homegarden have wide socio-economic and agro- ecological roles including production of food and a wide range of other produce/products such as firewood, fodders, spices, medicinal and ornamentals (Udofia et al., 2012), and avoidance of environmental deterioration of climate related hazards commonly associated with monoculture production systems (Fernandes and Nair 1990), income generating site (Shoo, 2009). The diversity and richness of plants in the homegarden associated with other organisms contribute to the formation and maintenance of soil structure, retention of moisture and nutrient levels and promotes the recycling of nutrients; which reduces ecosystem vulnerability to climate change (Verchot et al., 2007).

CONCLUSION The study found that homegardens in Oruk Anam LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria are rich and diverse in plant species in almost all life-forms and spread across several plant families. It was also found that homegardens provide a bridge between the social and biological linkages, cultivated species and natural ecosystems, combining and conserving species diversity and genetic resources. Homegarden agroforestry system in the study area indicated high diversity and richness of plants species which, could sustainably improve soil fertility in addition to environmental protection,

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