Assessment of Tree Species Diversity and Abundance in Yelwa Campus, Atbu Bauchi, Nigeria

This study examines the diversity and abundance of tree species in Yelwa campus of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Nigeria. The campus was divided into 3 sites namely Site A, B and C where 3 plots of 100m x 100m were randomly laid in each site, making a total of nine sampling plots. Tree species were identified and direct counting method was performed in each plot. The Girth at Breast Height (GBH) of all the trees within each plot was measured and recorded. A total number of 35 different tree species from all the study sites were recorded; meanwhile, a total number of 904 individuals were sampled. Site ‘B’ had the highest species diversity (77.14%), followed by site ‘A’ (68.57%) and lastly site ‘C’ has minimum species diversity (54.29%). Senna siamea is the most dominant species, making up 21.58% of the total tree population, followed by Khaya senegalensis (10.40%), Terminalia ivorensis (8.41%), Gmelina arborea (6.20%), and Anogeisus leiocarpa (5.09%) respectively. Fifteen (15) tree families we found and Fabaceae family recorded the greatest number of individuals thus, the most abundant family. The study ultimately documented the baseline tree diversity and abundance of Yelwa University campus; therefore, one would recommend collaborative effort in conservation of trees species especially those that are least abundant like Acacia sp, Adonsonia digitata, Borassus aethiopum, Ficus sp, Vitex doniana, Phoenix dactylifera and Hyphaene thebaica.