Floral Phenology and Pollinator Diversity of Selected Savanna Trees in Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State

Phenological patterns of savanna trees and their pollinator communities are fundamental to forest ecosystem function, yet these interactions remain undocumented in Falgore Game Reserve, one of the last significant wildlife habitats in Kano State, North West Nigeria. This study investigated the floral phenology and pollinator diversity of five dominant savanna tree species: Parkia biglobosa, Vitellaria paradoxa, Acacia senegal, Terminalia avicennioides, and Prosopis africana, within the reserve over one annual cycle. Phenological events (leaf flush, bud burst, anthesis, and fruit set) were recorded monthly for 10 tagged individuals of each species. During peak anthesis, pollinator observation sessions (30 minutes per individual per day) were conducted for three consecutive days, and all visiting insects were identified and their visiting behaviour recorded. P. biglobosa had the earliest flowering period (January to February), while V. paradoxa flowered from October to December. All five species attracted diverse pollinator communities, totalling 28 insect morphospecies. Apis mellifera was the dominant pollinator across four of five species. Parkia biglobosa uniquely attracted chiropteran pollinators (bats) during night observations. Flower visitation rates were highest for Acacia senegal (mean 14.6 visits per flower per hour). Pollinator community composition showed low overlap between tree species at the genus level. The study concludes that Falgore Game Reserve supports a diverse plant-pollinator interaction network, and recommends its protection from further agricultural expansion to safeguard these ecological relationships.

Keywords: floral phenology, pollinator diversity, savanna trees, Falgore Game Reserve, Kano State