VEGETATION STRUCTURE AND DIVERSITY OF URBAN PARKS AND GARDENS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

The diversity and species richness of parks and gardens were assessed in the urban axis of Benin City. Ogba Zoological Garden and Nature Park and the Benin Golf Course were selected for the study. Random sampling inventory was used to carry out field inventory, tree heights and diameter at breast height (Dbh) were measured at the sites. The relative density, dominance, important value index (IVI), species richness, evenness and diversity were also estimated. The results showed that Ogba Zoologic