Ecological assessment of tree species composition and diversity in Federal University Dutsin-Ma campus, Nigeria

The study assessed tree species diversity in the Federal University Dutsin-Ma Take-off campus (FUDMA), Katsina state, Nigeria. The purposive sampling technique was employed for the study, with five locations within the study area purposively selected due to the presence of higher number of trees around them. One Plot each of 20 x 20m was laid across sample sites. All trees within the five different plots were recorded with their Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) measured. One hundred and sixty-one (161) individual trees belonging to seven (7) families were encountered in the study area. Azadirachta indica (RA = 48.45 %) was the most abundant species. Out of the recorded number of tree species, second gate, clinic, mosque and sport complex areas had the highest number of trees, each having 46(29%), 35(22%), 31(19%), 30(19%) respectively, while senate building recorded the lowest number of tree species, having 19 (11%). The local status of tree species revealed that majority (33.33%) were abundant and 25% were threatened/endangered. The pooled mean for DBH of the trees in the study area was 0.50m. The Shannon-Wienner and Simpson indices was 1.72 -0.72 respectively. The record of rare and threatened indigenous tree species in the study suggests that little attention had been given to regeneration and management of these species. The need to raise more seedlings especially for threatened and endangered species for both enrichment planting and increased afforestation of the campus is opined in this study. Likewise, that existing tree species within the campus be further protected from various forms of threats.