Distribution of palynomorphs from mangrove swamps in the Eagle Island section of the New Calabar River in the Niger Delta

Palynological results have been employed in interpreting the distribution of palynomorphs from mangrove swamps in the Eagle Island section of the New Calabar River, recent sediments from fifteen locations in the area were palynologically examined. The results record about forty per cent in abundance of palynomorphs, it shows that the pollen from mangroves was believed to have substantially increased to very high grains, and probably transported landward by wind with the presence of charred Poaceae cuticles and Podocarpus milanjianus which has accounted for the higher records of Poaceae in the study area. The abundant plants represented in the sediment source areas as revealed by the palynomorphs recovered are Poaceae, Elaeis guineensis, Acrostichum aureum, Pteris spp., Nephrolepis undulata, Cyclosorus afar and Verrucatosporites spp. Pollen of Rhizophora spp. and freshwater forest trees that are abundant in sediments have been reduced greatly and replaced by Poaceae and Elaeis guineensis pollen due to anthropogenic activities. Proximity to shore determines the abundance of pollen and spores, fungal spores Concentricytes. Protoperidinium spp. and other dinoflagellates with the lowest temperature and high salinity. Microforaminiferal wall linings were however recovered mostly in the proximal area, recovered diatoms show useful ecological trends. These results further confirm the usefulness of these palynomorphs and diatoms for paleoenvironmental and paleovegetational reconstruction. The degradation of ecosystems has undergone anthropological activities within the study area.