Floral Diversity and Population Structure of Tree Species in Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative Park in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria

Documenting floral diversity and population structure helps to understand ecological interactions and species composition. Therefore, this study aimed to assess and document the floral diversity and population structure of tree plant species in the Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI) Park in Lekki, Lagos State, Nigeria, using appropriate standard methods. The data revealed that 349 individual trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥ 5 cm were measured above diameter at breast height (DBH) of ≥ 5 cm, representing 51 species and 23 families recorded at LUFASI Park, Lagos State. The Importance Value Index (IVI) analysis revealed that Macaranga barteri (10.17) has the highest value, followed by Cleitopholis patens (8.41) and Piptadeniastrum africanum (6.58). The least IVI value was observed in Dialium guineense and Rauvolfia vomitoria, both with an IVI value of 0.17. The population structure of tree species based on diameter-class distribution showed an inverted J-shape, indicating healthy regeneration with abundant seedlings and young saplings. The Shannon–Wienerindex (H ̍), Simpson’s diversity index (d), and evenness were 3.14, 8.54, and 0.45, respectively, which reflects a stable and well-distributed tree community.