Common Flora of Walls, Cracks and Crevices in Benin City, Nigeria
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1Aderiike Adewumi, 2Cynthia Ubah, 3Oluwapelumi Micheal Ajiboye*, and 4Emmanuel Izaka Aigbokhan
| Bulletin of Pure and Applied Sciences.
Geology (Geological Science), Vol.42F, No.1, January-June 2023: P.144-154 |
| Original Article
DOI: 10.48165/bpas.2023.42F.1.12 |
Description
Description
Common Flora of Walls, Cracks and Crevices in Benin City, Nigeria
1Aderiike Adewumi, 2Cynthia Ubah, 3Oluwapelumi Micheal Ajiboye*, and 4Emmanuel Izaka Aigbokhan
| Author’s Affiliations:
1Department of Basic Science, School of Sciences and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria E-mail: adewumia@babcock.edu.ng 2Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria E-mail: cy_ubah52@yahoo.com 3Department of Basic Science, School of Sciences and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria E-mail: oluwapelumiajii@gmail.com 4Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria E-mail: eaigbokhan@uniben.edu
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| *Corresponding Author: Oluwapelumi Micheal Ajiboye, Department of Basic Science, School of Sciences and Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.
E-mail: oluwapelumiajii@gmail.com
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(Received on 25.01.2023, Revised on 20.03.2023, Approved on 10.05.2023, Accepted on 19.05.2023, Published on 15.06.2023)
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Abstract
Context: The study of Benin City, Nigeria revealed that the flora of the urban environment is composed of taxa that are vigorous, adaptable and well-equipped to seize a quick foothold and thrive in habitats where other plants cannot effectively inhabit.
Aims: The study aims to provide an inventory of plants that grow on walls, cracks and crevices in Benin City, identifying the dominant species, identifying any adaptive features, and determining their frequency.
Methods and Material: Random surveys conducted in 2010 divided the city into 4 major sectors, visually inspecting each section to identify and inventory vegetation found on walls, cracks and crevices.
Results: The most important details are that 75 vascular plants, 51 bryophytes and 23 lichens were recorded, with 36 (24%) species occurring on one wall and 21 (14%) species on only two walls. 39 plant taxa were recorded from crevices, 21 from cracks and 14 from walls. Mosses were the most common plants on walls, with Tortula muralis and Bryum argentums being the most common. Peperomia pellucida was the most predominant in cracks and Chromolaena odorata had the least common in crevices. The numbers of plant taxa at the different sites appear to reflect their respective degree of competitiveness.
Conclusions: Weeds are caused by disturbance of the natural ecosystem by Man's activities.This study is important to help industries select materials that are suitable for moist tropical environments and to enable builders to choose building materials more carefully to reduce the frequency of occurrence of weeds on walls.
Keywords: Taxa, Flora, Wall, Crevices, Cracks.
Key Messages: Plant residue buildup can obstruct storm water runoff and provide a substrate for the growth of new weeds. They can make traffic indicators less visible at road edges, which can lead to accidents. In addition, weeds are unsightly and are often seen as signs of a failing city because they cover the sidewalks and streets.
