Catenary variation of vegetation in a swamp forest in South‐Western Nigeria

The study examines catenary differentiation of swamp forest vegetation in an area characterised by low gentle relief. There are no marked variations in vegetation structure along the catena, except near the river bank where trees are shorter, and tree density lower. Tree species are also fewer near the river bank. Because the ground water table is quite close to the surface, swamp‐loving species, especially Lophira alata Oxystigma mannii and Symphonia globulifera occur in the upper, middle and lower slope units of the catena. Raphia spp. are, however, restricted to the middle and lower slopes, being the most characteristic and abundant species of the lower slope where flooding is more pronounced. Ground slope and ground elevation are the most significant factors influencing variation in tree height and number of trees species along the catena, soil textural composition and nutrient status being relatively unimportant.

Key words:

• Catena
• soil
• swamp forest
• vegetation