CARBON STOCKS AND AESTHETICS VALUES OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS IN SOME TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This Study estimates the rate of carbon sequestered by ornamental plants in some tertiary institutions in Ondo State, South West of Nigeria. This was with the view to determine the carbon stocks and species diversity of ornamental plants encountered in the institution. Carbon estimate were obtained from diameter and tree height measurement using a Spiegel Relaskop. Tree regression equation was used for biomass estimation, while laboratory analysis was done to estimate litter biomass and soil carbon. Well-structured questionnaire was used in collecting information on the general perception of the institution communities about ornamental plants; A total of fifty (50) respondents were sampled in each of the Tertiary institutions making the total number of respondents sampled in the study area to be 200, Most of the respondents were students and employees of the institutions. Descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages were used to present study findings. The results show that fifteen ornamental trees and eight shrubs species were encountered in the study sites. A total of 392 stands were assessed as ornamental trees while 1,591 stands of ornamental shrubs were assessed. The Federal University of Technology, Akure has the highest carbon density of 15,146.90 kg/ton and total CO2 of 55,589.1 kg/ton followed by Elizade University, Ilaramokin that has carbon density of 6,343.11 kg/ton and CO2 values of 23,279.21 kg/ton, while Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo has Carbon stock density of 5,008.21 kg/ton and CO2 values of 18,380.13 kg/ton and the School of Health Technology, Akure had the carbon density of 1,560.98 kg/ton with CO2 values of 5,728.797 kg/ton. The amount of carbon sequestered by a plant species is a function of its photosynthetic and growth rates. The Federal University of Technology Akure. Terminalia mantally and Duranta erecta yellow accounted for the highest proportion of ornamental plants, and possess higher potential for carbon sequestration and could be useful in combating global warming. Based on the findings from the study, research institutions, government and Non-Governmental Organisations who are interested in climate change mitigations should encourage and motivate the general public in planting ornamental plants and exploring all the beneficial qualities in ornamental plants