Influence of shrubs on soil characteristics and their function in Sahelian agro-ecosystems in semi-arid Niger

Wezel, Alexander; Rajot, Jean-Louis; Herbrig, C

doi:10.1006/jare.1999.0609

Cited by 215 publications

(161 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Cross and Schlesinger (1999) indicated that the vegetation may maintain a tight control over the cycling of biologically limiting nutrients, and abiotic factors appear to regulate the cycling of non-limiting elements, which are more or less equally distributed under canopies in comparison to the interspaces. The higher (Wezel et al 2000), lower (Titus et al 2002) and indistinctive (Wright and Honea 1986) values of pH under canopy relative to the interspaces were all reported for previous studies in arid areas.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

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The influence ofCaragana korshinskiishrub on soil and hydrological properties in a revegetation-stabilized desert ecosystem

Pan

Wang

et al. 2014

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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Shrub-induced spatial heterogeneity of soil and hydrological properties are common in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. To examine the influence of shrubs on spatial patterns of soil physical, chemical and hydrological properties, the typical sand-fixation species, Caragana korshinskii, was studied in the Shapotou area of the Tengger Desert, China. Miniature cylinder infiltrometers were used to quantify the spatial variations of infiltration rate in the soils, and were installed at 20-cm intervals around the shrubs. Meanwhile, soil samples were collected at 0-5 cm depth every 10 cm to analyse their physical and chemical properties and soil moisture content. The results indicate that the various measured parameters showed a gradational change from sub-canopy to open space. The establishment of shrubs formed obvious "fertile islands" where more soil nutrients collected. The total nitrogen (TN), soil organic matter (SOM), electrical conductivity (EC) and surface soil moisture content decreased gradually from around shrub stems to the interspace. The sand content around shrub stems was significantly higher (p < 0.05), and decreased gradually from the centre towards the outside microsites. The silt and clay contents showed opposite variability characteristics. The variation of soil bulk density was less within 140 cm distance from the stem, and no abrupt change was found at the shrub's drip line. No significant tendency was found for the soil pH values. The steady infiltration rates declined with increasing stem distance and then tended to be stable, and no abrupt change occurred at the position of the overhead canopy margin. The increase of infiltration rate was rapid nearer to the stem; the variability trend can be fitted by a loglog (power function) model. This study indicated the gradational change in soil and hydrological properties, which was not consistent with the binary division of shrubs into "canopy" and "interspace" zones.Key words shrubs; physical properties; chemical properties; hydrological properties; infiltration rate Influence de l'arbuste Caragana korshinskii sur les propriétés pédologiques et hydrologiques dans un écosystème désertique revégétalisé stabilisé Résumé L'hétérogénéité spatiale des propriétés pédologiques et hydrologiques induites par les arbustes est fréquente dans les écosystèmes arides et semi-arides. Afin d'examiner l'influence des arbustes sur la répartition spatiale des propriétés physiques, chimiques et hydrologiques des sols, Caragana korshinskii, une espèce caractéristique de fixation des sables, a été étudiée dans la zone de Shapotou du désert de Tengger, en Chine. Des infiltromètres cylindriques miniatures ont été utilisés pour quantifier les variations spatiales des taux d'infiltration dans les sols, et ont été installés à intervalles de 20 cm autour des arbustes. Parallèlement, des échantillons de sol ont été prélevés à 0-5 cm de profondeur tous les 10 cm pour analyser leurs propriétés physiques et chimiques et l'humidité du sol. Les résultats indiquent que les diffé...

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 69%

“…The root architecture, number and biomass of shrubs play a key role in affecting soil nutrients (Wezel et al 2000, Dong et al 2009). Litter-fall is crucial for nutrient cycling because litter is the major source of SOM and functions as a regulator for carbon and nitrogen dynamics in desert ecosystems (Zaady et al 1996).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The influence ofCaragana korshinskiishrub on soil and hydrological properties in a revegetation-stabilized desert ecosystem

Pan

Wang

et al. 2014

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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“…For instance, in savannahs, which are composed of grasslands with scattered trees, studies have emphasized decreasing gradients of soil fertility indicators, such as total N, P, K, and Ca toward the open grassland (Belsky et al 1989;Kellman 1979). This pattern was also observed in semi-arid environments under shrubs influence (Li et al 2007;Wezel et al 2000). Other studies have discussed vertical (depth) patterns of nutrient distributions in relationship to the presence of plants (Jobbágy and Jackson 2001), emphasizing two main counteracting mechanisms: leaching, which tends to deplete nutrients from the topsoil, and plant cycling, which tends to accumulate nutrients at the topsoil.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Biocontrolled soil nutrient distribution under the influence of an oxalogenic-oxalotrophic ecosystem

et al. 2018

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Background and Aims The oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP) has been observed in acidic tropical soils with low alkaline cation content where compartments are transient and fed by the rapid turnover of organic matter. By acting on edaphic parameters, the OCP may influence soil nutrient distribution. This study aims at assessing the influence of the OCP on soil nutrients within an agroforestry system associated to oxalogenic iroko trees. Methods Soil nutrient distribution was studied in a 30 m long and 1 m deep transect starting at the iroko tree towards the vegetation surrounding it. Results Processes controlling nutrient distributions varied with both distance and depth. The tree drastically impacted edaphic variables, in the first instance pH.Changes in pH generated gradients of calcium and magnesium, both of the exchangeable and the total fraction. In contrast, total phosphorus and potassium distribution were mostly influenced by depth. Conclusions This downward gradient fits the Bplant cycling model^that explains the effect of vegetation on the recharge of soil nutrients. This is the first example of the effect of the OCP on soil nutrient distribution. Considering that the OCP is not restricted to the iroko tree, this study highlights a more general pattern of forest dynamics developed on highly weathered tropical soils.

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“…(1) Trees and shrubs function as natural barriers to reduce erosion (Wezel et al, 2000), especially in the field where a litter layer exists. This means that there is less loss of soil nutrients due to runoff and wind under shrubland, woodland and grassland than cropland.…”

Section: Enrichment Of Vegetation Restoration On Soil Nutrientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of land use on soil nutrients in the loess hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China

Gong

Chen

et al. 2005

Land Degrad Dev

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Understanding the effects of land use change on soil properties is important for soil quality improvement and sustainable land use. In this study, six land use types including wasteland (WLD), cropland (CLD), abandoned land (ABD), artificial grassland (AGD), shrubland (SLD) and woodland (WOD) were selected to analyse the effects of land use types on soil nutrient in the Anjiapo catchment in the western part of the Loess Plateau in China. Significant differences were found in soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrate nitrogen (NON) (P < 0.01) between the six land use types. Our study also showed that land use types have different effects on soil nutrient storage, and vegetation restoration may improve soil nutrients and soil quality. While crop plantation can significantly decrease soil fertility, the trend can be reversed by cropland abandonment and afforestation. It is recommended that more C input, alternative cultivation practices, vegetation restoration and education and techniques training of local farmers could be used to improve soil conditions and to advance the sustainable land use and local development in the loess hilly area in the Loess Plateau of China.

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Influence of shrubs on soil characteristics and their function in Sahelian agro-ecosystems in semi-arid Niger

Cited by 215 publications

References 20 publications

The influence ofCaragana korshinskiishrub on soil and hydrological properties in a revegetation-stabilized desert ecosystem

The influence ofCaragana korshinskiishrub on soil and hydrological properties in a revegetation-stabilized desert ecosystem

Biocontrolled soil nutrient distribution under the influence of an oxalogenic-oxalotrophic ecosystem

Effect of land use on soil nutrients in the loess hilly area of the Loess Plateau, China

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