FLORISTICS AND STRUCTURE OF THE REMNANT FORESTS OF THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY CAMPUS, ILE-IFE NIGERIA AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR CONSERVATION

ABSTRACT

The floristic composition and the girth sizes of the woody plants in seventeen sample forest plots at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria were studied with a view to making recommendation on the conservation of the forest. The 120 species found are those typical of drier lowland forest of south Nigeria. Twenty-six species occurred in 8 of the 17 plots while 28 occurred in one plot and could be regarded as rare. About 70% of the stems are less than 30 cm girth at breast height, an indication of recent disturbance. Brachystegia eurycoma dominated the >120cm girth class and was found on hilly slopes that were unsuitable for farming. The benefits of the Campus forest include protection of an important watershed and teaching and research.