Sustainability and Genetic Diversity of Underexploited African Plants: A Collection Expedition in Nigeria - Facts, Challenges and Prospects
No Thumbnail Available
Date
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Description
Plant genetic diversity loss particularly of under-utilized species threatens several
developmental goals in Africa. Preferred safeguard strategies and techniques have failed in
stemming this situation exacerbated by dearth in global information and poor research attention on
such species amongst other pitfalls. The study involved an expedition to; generate ecogeographical
and related information on 30 under-utilized species; evaluate the prevailing
situations for collection exercises in Nigeria, in the attempt to instigate globally relevant
researches, conservation and sustainable partnerships. A two-phased systematic field survey
(North and South) employing a 50 km regular transect distance, covering the wet and dry seasons,
a cumulative distance of 8168 km, 192 communities in 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory
(FCT) of Nigeria. Collection diversity was determined with Simpson’s Diversity index (1-D) as
well as species abundance. 703 accessions of 30 plants species were collected. 13% of the total
species (16% -South; 40% - North) were common to both regions. High diversity (D = 8) was
recorded for the collection. The wetter southern states were significantly more diverse (D = 0.7-
0.9) than the north. The north west and some south eastern state recorded lesser diversity and the
FCT the least (D = 0). 6 species recorded significant species abundance across the study area. The
study area is heavily imparted yet houses a considerable diversity of the species surveyed. It is
imperative to pursue integrated strategies to harness the plentiful flora as well as cultural resources
resident therein. The species studied can be employed to tackle the challenges of climate change,
livelihood, economy, food and nutrition security and farmer/grazers/construction activity unrest.
Keywords
QH Natural history, QH301 Biology