Peter Adegbenga Adeonipekun

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor (Associate) at University of Lagos

This article explores the pivotal role of herbaria in supporting taxonomic research in Nigeria and highlights the need to improve herbarium infrastructure to enhance plant diversity research in the country. Thirteen herbaria are currently recognized in Nigeria on the Index Herbariorum database and collectively house about 260,000 specimens. The For...

The palaeoecology and palaeoclimate of montane ecosystems in Africa are poorly understood due to limited available studies. This is particularly true for Gashaka-Gumti National Park (GGNP) montane landscape in the largest forest reserve in Nigeria, western Africa. To fill this knowledge gap, we analysed pollen and non-pollen palynomorphs from Chapp...

Freshwater algae – Botryococcus and Pediastrum, marine indices – dinoflagellates and microforaminiferal linings, and charred Poaceae cuticles are accessory palynomorphs commonly recovered from Niger Delta sediments. The abundant recovery of these non-pollen palynomorphs necessitates a test of their usefulness for sequence stratigraphic purposes. Bi...

The objective is to reconstruct a part of the Dahomey gap history vegetation from current floristic indices. We compared floristic data from one of the current forest patches within the Dahomey Gap (Benin Republic) with floristic data from the forests to the west (Ghana) and east (Nigeria). We anticipate that the grassland dominance in the Dahomey...

This study sheds light on the environmental history of the Dahomey Gap, a 200‐km‐wide dry grasslands corridor separating western and central African rain forest blocks. We compared floristic data from one of the current forest patches within the Dahomey Gap (Benin) with floristic data from the forests to the west (Ghana) and east (Nigeria). We anti...

Pharmacology Proximate, phytochemical, and antimicrobial evaluation of flowers of Mangifera indica L., stamens of Terminalia catappa L., and anther of Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. It is important to assess the medicinal and nutritional values of specific pollen grains particularly those found in abundance in honey to identify their specific...

The present study investigates the floral diversity of the Lagos coastal environments by sampling 21 points using the quadrat method. The study revealed two major aquatic ecosystem types (mangrove and freshwater swamp) and recorded 125 species belonging to 108 genera and 49 families. While Alchornea cordifolia and Raphia hookeri were found as the m...

From clinical point of view, knowledge of the pollen season and loads in the atmosphere of every community is important so as to guide on incidence and management of pollinosis. The aim of this work therefore is to evaluate the weekly constituents of the atmospheric pollen and fern spores of two communities in Lagos Nigeria and the relationship, if...

Land-use and cover change reflects choices in natural resource governance. Despite heavy targets on the forest and woodland, the southwest Nigeria states have little quantitative information on the magnitude and direction of land-use change across the states. This drives unsustainable land management and deforestation. This study utilized vegetatio...

Aim Owing to its diverse bioclimatic zones, long human history and intense anthropogenic impacts, Africa provides a model system for studying how global terrestrial ecosystems might respond to accelerated socio‐environmental stress. Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change and human impact, and insufficient baseline data hamper current e...

Using a paleoecological approach, we reveal that recent human activities, rather than natural variations in climate, have caused the greatest changes to Nigerian forests in the last 7000 years. Savanna has shown an even higher climate sensitivity in the past and will likely experience significant changes based on projections of future climate chang...

A palynological and sedimentological study of recent bottom sediments from shallow proximal and distal locations offshore Niger Delta was carried out in order to assess the distribution of palynomorphs viz-a-viz the lithofacies in the study area. Fractions of the sediments were subjected to standard laboratory treatments to recover palynomorphs and...

Vegetation composition and structural diversity are important for biodiversity conservation and forest carbon storage.. Less attention has been paid to tropical forest vegetation characteristics and the carbon stock across different pools in Nigeria. This study presents the results of a rapid assessment and exploratory estimate of the woody species...

Covering 560.14 hectares in the south-east of Benin, the Ewe-Adakplame Relic Forest (EARF) is a micro-refugium that shows insular characteristics within the Dahomey Gap. It is probably one of the last remnants of tropical rain forest that would have survived the late Holocene dry period. Based on intensive field investigations through 25 plots (10...

The gradual disappearance of ferns due to biodiversity loss occasioned by anthropogenic activities and global climate change necessitated the need to document and study palynologically pteridophytes in Lagos State. Their peculiar habitat is fast declining in many urban centres of the world, including Nigeria. Previous studies in Nigeria mainly addr...

The gradual disappearance of ferns due to biodiversity loss occasioned by anthropogenic activities and global climate change necessitated the need to document and study palynologically pteridophytes in Lagos State. Their peculiar habitat is fast declining in many urban centres of the world, including Nigeria. Previous studies in Nigeria mainly addr...

This study focused on the management of established Apis mellifera adansonii colonies, and evaluation of the proximate, mineral, and pollen contents of honeys produced by these bees at the University of Lagos apiary. Two newly established bee colonies were managed using modern hive management techniques. Honeys produced by these colonies were subje...

Wetlands are essential components of the ecosystem and play significant roles as habitats and are reservoirs of biodiversity. This paper was an attempt to inferentially study the degradation and devaluation of marshland in a rapidly developing coastal area like the University of Lagos, Akoka Campus. Object based classification of high-resolution im...

Exposure to outside air microorganisms especially fungi has been linked with illness such as allergic respiratory symptoms, rhinitis, asthma, and infection such as mycosis. Airborne fungal composition was sampled from five locations in Lagos State, Nigeria, between May 2014 and April 2016. Fungi spores were collected using the sedimentation plate m...

The Lagos coastal environment, a very delicate assemblage of coastal ecosystems, lies in the tropical lowland forest zone of southwest Nigeria. This paper analyses the long-term present and future climatic trend over the Lagos coastal environment using historical station-measured rainfall and temperature data for Ikeja, Lagos Island and Ijebu Ode s...

Attempts at reconstructing palaeoclimatic changes over time using palynomorphs of three oil wells drilled in the shallow offshore Niger Delta led to cluster analysis-aided recognition of seven pollen zones. These pollen zones are equivalent to ten palaeoclimatic zones with alternating dry and wet conditions. The palynomorphs were classified into ph...

This paper briefly reviews the implications of the palaeoclimatic changes on the palynology of the Niger/Cross River Delta. The consequent effects of these on the zonal schemes being used for palynostratigraphy were highlighted as they affected the occurrences of Gemmamonocolpites sp.1 [ aff.Cleistopholis patens] (P870/880 boundary marker), Verrutr...

The importance of pteridophytes in past and present ecological, environmental and climate monitoring and aerobiology cannot be over-emphasized. Therefore, to provide phenological information on this plant group, a one-year (September 2016 – August 2017) documentation on the floristic composition and sporulation features of pteridophytes in four are...

Rapid degradation of wetlands and habitat fragmentation are major threats to species diversity and ecological paradigm in Lagos state, Nigeria. Best to our knowledge, no empirical study has explored the effects of seasonal changes on covering three major cities in the statewithin the major cities in Lagos state. For this, we carried out a study cov...

As part of the sustainable wood resource supply and ecosystems management strategies, colonial Nigeria government designated/gazetted some areas as forest reserves. These reserves have over the years suffered from poor inventory, depletion and poor management. This study carried out an inventory of the status and land-cover changes in forest reserv...

Until the publication of the Part I of this research series, the purification and characterisation of allergenic components in pollen grains did not exist in Nigeria. To close this gap, Part II is presented here. Four pollen grains – Alchornea cordifolia (Schumach et Thonn) Mull Arg (Christmas bush), Amaranthus hybridus L (African spinach ‘green’),...

Research linking pollen grains in the air withallergy cases (pollinosis) is still incipient in Africa. To closethis gap, aerosamplers were placed in Gbagada, LagosState and harvested monthly from January 2013 to De-cember 2014. Data obtained was correlated with allergycases (wheezing cough, rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis)from Gbagada General...

Mariscus ligularis (L.) Urb. has been traditionally reported for healing and antimicrobial properties. In order to evaluate and scientifically prove the medicinal values of the parts used, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical and antimicrobial studies were carried out on the shoot and root of this sedge. Aqueous and ethanolic crude extracts o...

The growing unpredictability of causal allergens has been ascribed partly to the prevalence of different biological entities with allergenic potential in the atmosphere. A group among the multiple aeroplankton recovered in aerobiology but mostly ignored is arthropod particles. To evaluate the concentration and distribution of these arthropod parts,...

Despite the extensive use of forest trees in Nigeria, studies on the ecology, biodiversity and conservation of the montane trees are limited most likely due to the peculiar terrain and topography. To update our current knowledge, an ecological assessment of montane forest trees in the Lamba area of Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), was carried ou...

Alchornea cordifolia (Schum. & Thonn.) Muel. Arg. is used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria to treat stomach disorders, diarrhoea, skin infections (wound healing), ear infections, and eye defects. To evaluate these claims, 100 mg/ml concentration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves, stem and male inflorescence of A. cordi...

Despite the extensive use of forest trees in Nigeria, studies on the ecology, biodiversity and conservation of the montane trees are limited most likely due to the peculiar terrain and topography. To update our current knowledge, an ecological assessment of montane forest trees in the Lamba area of Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), was carried ou...

Poaceae pollen grains are known to be highly allergenic and they are potential causes of allergic respiratory diseases. In order to investigate the incidence of airborne Poaceae, and contribute to current trends in the development of aeropalynology/allergy studies in Nigeria, five highly populated locations in Central Lagos State, Surulere, Ebute-M...

A palynology study of recent sediments from an 18 cm-core collected from the swamp area in University of Lagos, very close to the Lagos lagoon, was carried out. The recovered palynomorphs included pollen, fern spores, fungal spores and remains, and diatom frustules. Some of the major pollen documented include Arecaceae, Poaceae, Alchornea cordifoli...

Alchornea cordifolia (Schum. & Thonn.) Muel. Arg. is used by traditional medicine practitioners in Nigeria to treat stomach disorders, diarrhoea, skin infections (wound healing), ear infections, and eye defects. To evaluate these claims, 100 mg/ml concentration of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves, stem and male inflorescence of A. cordi...

In order to assess the environmental indicator potential of wasp nests and termite mounds, the palynomorph content of three randomly selected Macrotermes sp. mounds (termitaria) and two Vespula vulgaris nests collected on the University of Lagos campus were examined. Palynological analysis showed the presence of 298 well-preserved palynomorphs show...

Several pollen grains have been studied in detail for purification and characterisation of allergenic components in the advanced countries; however, many are yet to be studied in the tropics, including Nigeria. To close this gap, four pollen grains (Poaceae – Cynodon dactylon, Panicum maximum; Cyperaceae – Cyperus rotundus and Mariscus alternifoliu...

A palynological study of a 30 m borehole within the Akoka campus of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria revealed Late Quaternary paleo-vegetational, climatic and environmental changes. Sixteen samples at a regular interval of 2 m were subjected to standard palynological and sedimentological techniques. Six pollen zones representing six paleocli...

A survey of vascular epiphytes of Elaeis guineensis was carried out at the Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos. A total number of nine species of epiphytes were collected and identified. Their locations on the phorophytes such as base, trunk and canopy were also noted. Seven epiphytic species were found at the base, five epiphytic species were found o...

This article has been retracted as requested by the authors owing to an unresolved issue bothering on conflict of interest in the article.The alarming rate of ecosystem degradation in many parts of Nigeria has continued to have significant impacts on the country’s resources, conservation potential, and climate. This pressure led to an ecological an...

Honey samples from three different ecozones - coastal freshwater (Ogba), lowland rainforest (Oka-Akoko) and montane Sudan savanna (Mambilla plateau) – were subjected to melissopalynological, proximate and elemental analyses, as well as antimicrobial studies. The aim of the research was to determine the contribution of pollen, if any, in the antimic...

Honey samples from three different ecozones-coastal freshwater (Ogba), lowland rainforest (Oka-Akoko) and montane Sudan savanna (Mambilla plateau) – were subjected to melissopalynological, proximate and elemental analyses, as well as antimicrobial studies. The aim of the research was to determine the contribution of pollen, if any, in the antimicro...

Until very recently poor attention has been given to the management of wetlands in Nigeria despite their significance in the global food and water supply, energy needs and disaster management. Due to the rapid development of the Lagos coastal areas for commerce and industrial purposes, the natural coastal vegetation made up of various wetlands are...

A twelve-month aeropalynofloral survey at Ayetoro-Itele Ota southwest Nigeria documents the palynomorphs and diatoms in the atmosphere of the area. Pollen of Poaceae, Alchornea cordifolia, Elaeis guineensis, Typha spp., Cleome spp., Ocimum gratissimum, Aracaceae (Palmae), Cheno-Ams and Combret/Melastomaceae dominate the flora. Dominant pteridophyte...

The study evaluated Integrated Hive Management (IHM) strategies that would strengthen newly established bee colonies and also identified pollen spectra as well as proximate contents of honeys from Ikorodu and Badagry areas of Lagos State, Nigeria. Hive management strategies which involved monitoring for insect pests and diseases of honeybees were p...

Ferns make up an important component of tropical pteridoflora and serve important functions in ecosystem processes. The relative occurrence and distribution of ferns within the wetland area of Lagos and Osun States were studied with the aim of documenting the pteridophytic flora and habit in these areas. Four non-contiguous quadrats of 10 m x 10 m...

Existing biozonation schemes for the Niger delta are mainly qualitative with zonal intervals too large to record subtle events. This has made it necessary to look for additional palynological events to enable recognition of shorter, more refined interval zones to improve stratigraphic definition. Hitherto unrecognized occurrence trends of palynomor...

Pycreus smithianus tubers have been reported to have insecticidal properties. To gain further insight into its medicinal values, phytochemical and antimicrobial studies were carried out on its shoot and root. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence of reducing sugars, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and saponins in v...

Data on the prevalence of pollen in the atmosphere is limited and almost non-existent for Lagos State and Nigeria. Pollen grains are known to be highly allergenic and thus they are potential causes of respiratory diseases. To investigate airborne incidence of pollen, so as to construct a pollen calendar and contribute to current trends in the devel...

Data on the prevalence of pollen in the atmosphere is limited and almost non-existent for Lagos State and Nigeria. Pollen grains are known to be highly allergenic and thus they are potential causes of respiratory diseases. To investigate airborne incidence of pollen, so as to construct a pollen calendar and contribute to current trends in the devel...

In order to evaluate the medicinal value of notorious sedge weeds, three species: Cyperus esculentus, Cyperus rotundus and Mariscus alternifolius were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activities were evaluated against four fu...

In order to evaluate the medicinal value of notorious sedge weeds, three species:Cyperus esculentus, Cyperus rotundus and Mariscus alternifolius were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial properties. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical constituents and in vitro antimicrobial activities were evaluated against four fun...

To assess the distribution and transport media of palynomorphs in the shallow offshore eastern Niger/Cross River Delta, recent bottom sediments from three locations (distal ABC, middle DEF and proximal GH) in the area were palynologically investigated. Records of highest abundance and diversity values of palynomorphs in middle location DEF indicate...

The aeropalynological sampling of March 2011 was carried out at Ayetoro-Itele, Ota, southwest Nigeria. This was done to create a basis for comparison with March 2010 aerofloral data and verify conclusions made there with respect to its strange haze dust. An improvised aerofloral sampler made up of a food flask base, plastic cylinder, 5 µm mesh siev...

The Paleocene/Eocene boundary has been a significant subject globally for sometimes now. This work focuses on the application of sequence stratigraphy where diagnostic microfossils trends of abundances and qualitative parameters can be integrated with sedimentology in the recognition of stratigraphic surfaces. Such surfaces / boundaries are highsta...

The biological contents of the March 2010 hazy dust in Nigeria deserve verification due to the attendant panic it brought to the public. 3 g of dust deposited on the car bonnet of one of the authors was treated chemo-palynologically and microscopic study of the residue was carried out. The study reveals that the dust was rich in pollen grains, fung...

The present study is a contribution towards a further characterisation of Nigerian honey samples and bee pollen loads. Three modern beehives in an apiary at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture {IITA} Ibadan were studied. The entrances to these hives were partially blocked with a perforated, rectangular plastic stopper so that bees e...