Abstract
Rainforest is the most biologically diverse ecosystem and self sustaining natural ecosystem in the world when healthy. The trees are the main determinants of the rainforest and therefore, indiscriminate felling, results in degradation and destruction of the rainforest. Information on stand density and regeneration potentials of trees is crucial for sustainable forest management; hence, it is necessary to estimate the level of degradation before initiating any form of restoration strategies. Thus, the study was designed to determine the density of each species and assess their regeneration potentials in the disturbed rainforests of University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, using the combination of systematic and random sampling techniques for data collection. This gave a total of 8000 m2 for each of the forests for enumeration and identification of adult and juvenile tree species. Two isolated tracts of the degraded rainforests were identified as forests contiguous with the Botanical Garden (Site 1) and former Directorate of Physical Planning Directorate Building (Site 2). Data collected were analysed using statistical analysis. Twenty-five (25) tree species were encountered in site 1 and Twenty-two (22) in site 2. Site 1, recorded Sterculia tragacantha as the highest population with 253 individuals (317 stems/ha), while the least were Dacryodes edulis, Dracaena aborea and Unonopsis stipitata with 3 individuals (4 stems/ha) each. Baphia nitida had the highest basal area of 0.45045 m2 (0.56306 m2/ha) while the least was Irvingia gabonensis with 0.00785 m2 (0.00982 m2/ha). Regeneration potential was also higher in site 1 with Sterculia tragacantha as the highest (0.3264), and Dracaena arborea as the least with (0.0027). Both disturbed rainforests revealed a scanty representation of trees suggesting low regeneration potentials especially, in site 2. The study recommended enrichment planting and restrictions in both disturbed rainforests.