Occurrence and Spatial Distribution of Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Alien Plants in Lafia, Nigeria

Abstract

There is paucity of information on the occurrence, distribution and ecological impacts of invasive alien plants (IAPs) in sub-Saharan Africa in which Nigeria is part of. Therefore, this study qualitatively assessed the occurrence and spatial distribution of terrestrial and aquatic IAPs in Lafia, Nigeria, to document them for conservation and management purposes. Purposeful and opportunistic sampling method were employed for this descriptive study. At each of the sections of the study area, the wetlands found there will be observed for the occurrence of any IAPs. Terrestrial habitats with visual observation of the occurrence of any IAPs were selected for the study. Plant species with more than 80% percentage cover of the entire vegetation population were considered as potentially invasive. The identity and relative abundance of the IAPs were documented for each invaded site. Their occurrence and spatial distribution maps were also produced. At the study sites, 19 terrestrial IAPs belonging to 10 families and 14 aquatic IAPs belonging to 10 families were identified. Their relative abundance ranges between very abundant and abundant across all the invaded sites. Most of the aquatic habitats containing the IAPs were found to be streams whereas terrestrial invasive plants were mostly observed along the roadside as compared with other land use types. More control and management priority should be focused on these terrestrial (Sida acuta and Hypti suaveolens) and aquatic (Eichhornia crassipes and Ipomoea aquatica) IAPs due to their wide spatial distributions across the urban areas of Lafia, Nigeria.