Species Abundance in Savanna Site-Specific Ecotone of Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.050Keywords:
Specie Abundance, Ecotone Frequency, DensityAbstract
In the savanna ecosystems of Nigeria, quantitative data on species abundance, frequency, and density across different ecotone types remain limited. This study assessed species abundance in five site-specific ecotones within the savanna zone of Nigeria. Five site-specific ecotones were identified as: Forest–Savanna Ecotone, Riparian–Upland Ecotone, Agricultural–Mosaic Ecotone, Rocky Outcrop–Savanna Ecotone, and Wetland–Dryland Ecotone, with the aid of a Moving Split Window Technique of 20m × 20m. Five transects of 200m each were established perpendicular to the confirmed ecotones. Three plots 50m × 50m each representing community before ecotone (A), ecotonal community (B), and community after ecotone (C) were established at 10m intervals. Each plot was gridded into 10m × 10m cells (25 grid cells per plot). All plant species were identified and enumerated in each grid cell. Species density and frequency of occurrence were calculated using standard ecological formulas. The results show that, in the Forest–Savanna Ecotone, Nelsonia canescens was most dominant (10 individuals, 28% frequency, 0.40 m²). At the Riparian–Upland Ecotone, Cienfuegosia heteroclada dominated (15 individuals, 40% frequency, 0.60 m²). In the Agricultural–Mosaic Ecotone, Anogeissus leiocarpus was dominant (14 individuals, 40% frequency, 0.56 m²). At the Rocky Outcrop–Savanna Ecotone, Uapaca togoensis recorded the highest abundance (20 individuals, 40% frequency, 0.80 m²). In the Wetland–Dryland Ecotone, Crossopteryx febrifuga was dominant (16 individuals, 28% frequency, 0.64m2). Species dominance in savanna ecotones of Nigeria is highly site-specific, with no single species universally dominant across all transition zones, which is a clear reflection of localized environmental gradients, disturbance regimes, and edaphic conditions.
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