Geospatial delineation of arboreal epiphytes in a greenbelt canopy formation in parts of rivers state, Nigeria

Greenbelt canopy plays major role in epiphyte distribution and diversity. This research aimed at assessing the usefulness of geospatial application in the delineation of arboreal epiphyte in greenbelt canopy in parts of Rivers State. A total of 214 tree canopies (mostly of Azadirachta indica) were sampled from both the western and the eastern wing of the study sites using three basic ecological tools [the Braun-Blanquet releve and RRED – Analysis methods and Geospatial tool (GPS, Remote Sensing (RS), and ESRI’s ARCMAP GIS version 10.4)]. Result had Oleandra distenta Kunze and Platycerium bifurcatum Schwein f. with the highest frequency, density and diversity across most of the sampled plots in both study sites. Oleandra distenta recorded highest IVI value and contiguous distribution pattern across all sampled plots. Sampled plot 10 with highest (398.56) species richness, plot 7 with least (18.03) richness in the west and highest (260.67) richness in plot 9, least (33.48) richness in plot 5 of eastern site were recorded. Drynaria laurentii (Christ) Heiron had highest density (37.80), abundance (187), and evenness (80.36) in sampled plot 4 in the western wing. This result has shown variant diversity in the epiphytic proliferation based on variant canopies, barks composition and related growth factors.