Checklist, conservation status and health status assessment via total photosynthetic pigment contents of plants found at the Akwa Ibom State University Botanical Garden, Nigeria

This research aimed at providing a checklist of plants found at the Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) Botanical Garden, their conservation status and physiological health status via total photosynthetic pigment (TPP) assessment. A total of about 98 plant species was recorded, family Euphorbiaceae recording the highest number of species (8), Fabaceae (7), Asteraceae (6), Rubiaceae and Malvaceae (5), 3 families recorded 4 species each, 2 families had 3 species each, 8 families recorded 2 species each, while 32 families recorded 1 species each. Herbs had the highest frequency with 35.71%, trees (29.59%), shrubs (21.43%) and climbers recorded the lowest (13.27%). Conservation status check revealed that 52.04% of the plants found in AKSU Botanical Garden are rated data deficient/unranked by the IUCN, while 42.86% are rated least concern/secure-low risk, 4.08% (near threatened) and 1.02% (vulnerable). Tree species recorded the highest total photosynthetic pigment contents mostly; as observed in Dacryodes edulis (76.93±1.13mg/g), Ananas comosus (74.33±0.47), Pentaclethra macrophylla (74.30±1.76), Clorophytum comosum (70.97±0.86), Elaeis guineensis (70.60±0.79), Garcinia spicata (70.43±1.65) and Anthonatha macrophylla (70.12±0.44). The lowest TPP contents was observed in mostly climbers and herbs as observed in Euphorbia tirucalli (2.43±0.92mg/g), Pteridium aquilinum (17.53±3.96), Selaginella myosorus (22.60±5.56), Samanea saman (23.23±2.40), Ageratum houstonianum (32.70±1.11), Aspilia africana (36.10±6.65), Icacina trichantha (36.30±4.25), Sphagneticola trilobata (37.13±2.63). Considering the wide economic usage and value of the plants found in the study area, it is imperative that proper measures be taken to protect vulnerable species or those at low risk which are fast decreasing or becoming threatened. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES