Cluster analysis and ethno-botanical studies of some selected tree species in Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

Abstract

Cluster analysis and ethno-botanical inquiry on some selected trees species in Kwara State University, Malate was carried out. This is with a view to finding out relationship between the morphological features and ethno-botanical uses of tree species in study area. Thirty line transects of 10m x 10m were laid out. Ten tree species were identified and their spatial distributions were studied. The spatial distributions were determined by frequency value, Shannon-Wiener’s diversity and Menhinick’s richness index. Azadiracta indica and Eucalyptus citriodora were the dominant species with frequency value 34.52% and 13.10% respectively. Morphological parameters of the tree species were subjected to hierarchical cluster analyses, vis: single, complete, average and centroid linkages. The complete and average linkages gave the clearest clusters. Tree species that consistently form clusters irrespective of the analysis type are: Delonix regia and Terminalia ivorensis. Others species occurred as outliers with some relationships with the clustered species. Dendrogram generated from morphological features of plant species with true nested relationship in both the complete and average linkages method showed in the results of cluster analysis have correlations with traditional medicinal uses of the tree species.