NIGERIAN JOURNAL OF FORESTRY
Floristic Composition, Diversity and Structure of Trees in Agodi Gardens, Ibadan Oyo State, Nigeria

The floristic composition, abundance and distribution of tree species in Agodi Parks and Gardens, Ibadan Oyo State was carried out after the deforestation operations around the gardens for housing estate development in 2023. This was done with the aim of assessing the current status of the garden in terms of species abundance, diversity and biovolume. Complete enumeration and measurement of all trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) above 5cm were carried out. Data were collected on tree characteristics such as tree height (h), diameter at breast height (dbh), diameter at middle (dm), diameter at top (dt) and diameter at base (db). The data were analysed using Tree Species Diversity Indices. The study revealed a diverse community of trees, comprising a total of 330 trees from 40 species and 19 families. Eucalyptus torelliana stood out with the highest number of trees (22.4%), followed by Triplochiton scleroxylon with 15.3% while almost one-third of the species (31.2%) including Adansonia digitata, Albizia lebbeck, had only one representative. Myrtaceae family had the highest number of species (36.1%). In terms of height distribution, the tree height range between 21-25m were most abundant (31.2%), while those within the ≤ 5m range had the least (1.2%) number of stems. Khaya ivorensis has the highest height and diameter at breast height of 33.1m and 273.5cm respectively, while Adansonia digitata had the least height, diameter at breast height, basal area and volume with 4.5m, 28.2cm, 0.06m2 and 0.2m3 respectively. Eucalyptus torelliana dominated in basal area (173.19m2) and volume (1046.1m3). The Shannon Wienner diversity index (H’) of 2.801, evenness (E) of 0.4116, Simpson of 0.8977 and Margalef (6.725) were obtained. The minimum values observed in the study for height, diameter at breast height, basal area, and volume were 4.5 m, 28.2 cm, 0.06 m2, and 0.2 m3, respectively. The maximum values observed in the study for height, diameter at breast height, basal area, and volume were 33.1 m, 273.5 cm, 173.19 m2, and 1046.1 m3, respectively. Overall, the various indices employed for assessment collectively suggest that this park is a forest community with a high diversity of tree species. The protection of the park will sustain its original objectives of providing tourism and recreation, urban wildlife sanctuary, watershed management and climatic amelioration.