This study assessed fern species diversity within Otuoke University Community, Nigeria, to examine distribution patterns and conservation implications. Field surveys were conducted in two assessment areas (AA1: mixed-use institutional landscape; AA2: closed-canopy forest). A progressive time-meander sampling approach was employed, and sampling effort was standardized to 120 minutes, with 60 minutes allocated per assessment area. All vascular fern sporophytes occurring within approximately 2metres on either side of the meander path were recorded. Species abundance was estimated using a modified Braun-Blanquet scale based on patch size. Moisture preference was assessed using hydrological site index, while disturbance-tolerance was evaluated using habitat fidelity index. A total of 28 fern species were recorded, with uneven distribution between the mixed-use campus (AA1) and the less-disturbed forest habitat (AA2). Forest-restricted species, predominantly shade-dependent and moisture-loving, indicated ecological significance of their undisturbed habitats. In contrast, only seven disturbance-tolerant generalists (M. mauritiana, M. punctatum, N. biserrata, N. cordifolia, N. undulata, P. calomelanos and P. aquilinum) were confined to AA1. Growth forms which included terrestrial, epiphytic, climbing, aquatic, and semi-aquatic species reflect structural heterogeneity across forest stands, wetlands, floodplains, and regrowth areas. Species distributions were associated with moisture availability, with many taxa restricted to creek edges, marshes, and forest swamps. High tolerant species (P. aquilinum, D. linearis, N. biserrata and N. cordifolia) dominated fallows, edges and regrowth, whereas low-tolerance forest specialists (D. ballardianum, O.distenta, B. acrostichoides and P. stemaris) persisted only in shaded understories. Epiphytic species exhibited moderate to low disturbance tolerance. And patch-dynamics analysis revealed variations in ecological dominance, widespread