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

A field research was conducted to assess soil nutrient variation and plant distribution in four sedge-dominatedhabitats. Systematic sampling method was used. The result of the study revealed that a total of 12 plant species ofwhich 3 were members of the family Cyperaceae were identified in the habitats studied. The Cyperaceae membersfound were of the genus: Cyperus. Other associated species found were Sida acuta, Scoparia dulcis, Chromolaenaodorata, Eleusine indica, Ludwigia decurens etc. The highest density values obtained in this study is characteristicof Cyperus iria in Habitat D (9500 st/ha) while the least density value is characteristic of Plastostoma africanum inHabitat 2 (200 st/ha).

Multivariate correlation analysis evidenced that these differences in density of the sedgesreflected the functions of variations important soil properties such as pH, exchangeable Ca, soil moisture, totalnitrogen and available phosphorus.Most specifically, the current result concludes that while Cyperus iria showed strong affinity for soil acid soils richin available phosphorus which had moderate soil moisture regimes, Cyperus haspan indicated it preference foralkaline soils. This result lends knowledge and practical application in environmental management, weed scienceand habitat ecology.