Hemen T. J., Odeje S. C. and Soom S. T.
The Savanna, especially Derived Savanna, presently is under exploited because of inadequate information on vegetation composition. Therefore this research was designed to carry out ecological studies to determine the canopy effect of woody species on biomass production of the Derived Savanna around Egume, Kogi State, Nigeria, using normal random distribution methods and standard methods of soil analyses. The canopy effect of some woody species on understorey herbaceous plant species and soil properties were also investigated in the study area. Standing biomass and frequency of the understorey herbaceous plant species were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the open areas than within the canopies. A total of 22 herbaceous plant species distributed in 7 different families were recorded under the effect of the 4 different woody species canopies. Soils under the tree canopies had significantly (P<0.05) higher organic carbon and total nitrogen as well as % soil porosity than those in adjacent open areas. Since the canopy areas are rich in species and soil nutrients, the results therefore imply that the area is rich in species and soils nutrients which may give room for high yield of food production in the place.
