UNDERSTORY SPECIES DIVERSITY, REGENERATION AND RECRUITMENT POTENTIAL IN LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTRE, LAGOS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

A study was carried out at the Lekki Conservation Centre (LCC) in Lagos State, Nigeria, to evaluate the understory species diversity, regeneration, and recruitment potential of forest species. The research involved the sampling of twenty 30m x 30m plots, each containing five 2m x 2m subplots. Tree saplings with diameters at breast height (Dbh) between 1.0 cm and 10 cm were identified, and their height, frequency, and Dbh were recorded. The collected data were analyzed using PAST Version 3.0, which provided values for relative frequency, relative density, and Importance Value Index (IVI). In total, 160 individuals belonging to 33 species across 27 plant families were recorded. The Arecaceae family was the most dominant, contributing the highest number of species (32) and the highest frequency of occurrence (160), as well as a density of 6.4. Among the individual species, Elaeis guineensis had the highest IVI of 40.0, followed by Raphia hookeri with 26.3, signifying their strong ecological influence within the understory. On the other hand, eight species, including Avicennia marina, Bridelia micrantha, and Terminalia catappa, had the lowest IVI of 1.3, indicating poor or limited regeneration. The Simpson’s diversity index of 0.8571 reflected high species diversity, while the dominance index was 0.4063. Species richness per plot ranged from 1 to 12, with plots 1 and 2 showing the highest number of species. Similarity between plot pairs ranged from 0.17 to 1.0, indicating varying levels of shared species composition across the conservation area. The results suggest that the understory layer of the LCC is ecologically rich and diverse, serving as a key component in natural forest succession. The presence of numerous regenerating species shows the area’s strong potential for supporting native forest restoration. The study concludes that protecting the area from human interference and implementing scientific forest management practices will be vital for sustaining its biodiversity. Additionally, targeted conservation efforts are recommended for species showing poor or no regeneration. The observed high regeneration of indigenous species may be attributed to animal-assisted seed dispersal and erosion, further emphasizing the site's ecological value.