Valuable Tropical Flora of Anambra State, Nigeria-Amawbia Watershed in Focus!
G. Ukpaka Chukwujekwu *
Department Biological Science, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Nigeria
C. Nnabude, Peter
Department of Soil Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
J. Anyaegbunam Ngozi
Department of Science Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Well structured questionnaires and rating schedule were utilized to establish the economic relevance of each member of each species for each growth form. Available growth forms have very low economic relevance except probably the ones man knowingly planted for their high Economic values. Species with a rating higher than 6.5 had high relevance; those having less than 6.5 rating had low Economic relevance while those having a 6.5 rating had average relevance. Generally, the tree, shrub and climber species recorded higher relevance than the grasses and forbs. Some of the more important Economic relevance include: edible food, export commodity, cash crop, industrial raw material, medicinal plants and erosion control/soil protection. Replacements of unwanted species with the more economically relevant ones are of priority!
Keywords: Valuable, tropical flora, common