A SURVEY OF PHANEROPHYTES COMMUNITIES IN THE FEDERAL UNIVERSITY GASHUA CAMPUS, YOBE STATE

The study assessed the composition and distribution of phanerophytes in the take-off site of Federal University Gashua which was formerly occupied by Government Science and Technical Secondary School covering a total of 48ha. The study area was divided in to four (4) sites as the researchers adopted the Point-Centred-Quarter method (PCQ). Ten (10) quadrants measuring 100 X 100m were selected as the representative of the study area with each quadrants divided into five sub-units of 20m X 20m from the right angle and the centre. Ten (10) sampling points were randomly established in each of the sub-units where importance value index (IVI) was determined. The community of the study area was established by the dominant specie designated as Azadarichta indica and Acacia spps. Two families were found to be dominant in terms of species representation in the study area and they are Meliaceae and Mimoiceae.. Azadarichta indica have the highest numerical strength. Jaccard index show similarity between site 1 and 2 and generally dissimilar to the other sites. The diverse vegetation of the study area is currently under threat as the University is carrying out constructions and work reconstruction. Thus, the study recommends among others the conservation of site 3 of Mimosaceae members due to their long term growth and difficulty of their regeneration and transplanting tolerance. This findings also suggest the need of the University to adopt a policy of ‘removal of ‘1 and planting of 5-10 trees’ by the construction Companies currently undertaking projects in the University.