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