Inventory and Spatial Distribution of Trees in Eleme Local Government Area, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Urban trees provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits to those that live and work within and outside the community. Urban forest assessments are essential in supporting urban forest management and planning to improve environmental quality and human health in cities. The study investigated woody trees distributions in Eleme Local Government Area (Apkajo) Port Harcourt Nigeria, The study area was divided into 3 categories (Academic, Residential and Religious). Total woody tree species enumerations were carried out using tree identification and measurement while remote sensing technique was used to determine spatial distribution of trees and their land surface temperature. Morphological parameters assessed included total height (THT), crown diameter (CD), crown projection area (CPA), slenderness coefficient (SC) Merchantable area (MCH). Findings indicated total number of twenty seven (27) different woody tree species was identified from a sample population of one hundred and eighty five (185) trees. Species identified includes Mangifera indica, Dacryodes edulis,Terminalia mantaly, Azadirchta indica, Newbouldia laevis, Persea americana, Polyalthia longifolia, Terminalia catappa..Beneficial roles included medicinal, food security, income generation, beautification and micro-climate purposes. Among the species, Mangifera indica was the most abundant with a frequency of occurrence of 47. The result revealed that trees found in academic areas consistently gave higher mean tree growth variable values. Biodiversity was highest in residential areas with a Shannon index of 2.54 and Simpsons index of 0.88. Spatial distribution pattern showed that most tree species are clustered around the residential areas than the religious and academic areas. It was also observed that the trees are active in moderation of the land surface temperature by creating a micro-climate beneath it. The high species richness and diversity within the residential areas, despite its high infrastructural development, showed the importance people placed on urban greening and climate change.