Gbenga Festus Akomolafe and Zakaria Bin Rahmad

DOI: 10.14456/sjst-psu.2020.110

pp. 858 - 864

Abstract

We compared the diversity indices of wetlands invaded by a fern, Pneumatopteris afra, and those that were not
invaded. Six wetlands chosen for this study were each the size of 500×500 m² which included 3 invaded and 3 non-invaded
wetlands. A total of 240 quadrats of size 1.5×1.5 m² were established at all sites for estimation of abundance and diversity
indices. A total of 1634 individual plants of 9 species were observed at the invaded sites while 1032 individuals of 14 species
were observed at the non-invaded sites. The non-invaded sites exhibited significantly higher diversity indices than the invaded
ones. Non-invaded sites are richer and more diverse than the invaded sites. None of the plant species at the non-invaded sites
exhibited strong dominance over others. The lower species diversity of the invaded sites is also an indicator of the threat level
posed on the wetlands by P. afra.