Abstract:
The study was conducted in Wasasji Forest Reserve in Taraba State, Nigeria, it assessed tree
species composition and diversity. Five transects of 1000m (1km) each were laid in the forest at
an interval of 500m apart for the study. Sample plots of 50m x 50m sizes were laid in alternate
positions along each transect at interval of 250m were used for data collection. In each sampled
plot, tree species from ? 10cm diameter were identified and counted. These were used to
determined the tree species composition, while their diversity indices were estimated using
Shannon-wiener diversity index, margalef’s index (species richness index), species evenness,
simpson’s diversity index and menhinick’s diversity index. The results revealed that a total of 48
different tree species comprising of 17 families were recorded in the forest. The family of
moraceae had the highest (8) number of species representation in the forest. The most
predominant tree species are Funtumia elastica, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Uapaca heudolitii, Ceiba
pentandra and Erythrophleum suavolens. The Shannon-wiener index of (3.49), Species richness
(7.56), species evenness (0.49), simpson’s index ( ), and menhinick’s (6.21) were estimated for
the forest which are high. The state government should regulate cutting of trees in the forest.
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