Revista de ecosistemas y ecografía

Abstracto

Abundance and Distribution of Sedges in Relation to Soil Properties in SedgeDominated Habitats in Uyo Metropolis, South-South Nigeria

Emem Mbong* and Ogbemudia FO

A field research was conducted to assess soil nutrient variation and plant distribution in four sedge-dominated

habitats. Systematic sampling method was used. The result of the study revealed that a total of 12 plant species of

which 3 were members of the family Cyperaceae were identified in the habitats studied. The Cyperaceae members

found were of the genus: Cyperus. Other associated species found were Sida acuta, Scoparia dulcis, Chromolaena

odorata, Eleusine indica, Ludwigia decurens etc. The highest density values obtained in this study is characteristic

of Cyperus iria in Habitat D (9500 st/ha) while the least density value is characteristic of Plastostoma africanum in

Habitat 2 (200 st/ha). Multivariate correlation analysis evidenced that these differences in density of the sedges

reflected the functions of variations important soil properties such as pH, exchangeable Ca, soil moisture, total

nitrogen and available phosphorus.

Most specifically, the current result concludes that while Cyperus iria showed strong affinity for soil acid soils rich

in available phosphorus which had moderate soil moisture regimes, Cyperus haspan indicated it preference for

alkaline soils. This result lends knowledge and practical application in environmental management, weed science

and habitat ecology