Modification of soil properties by <i>Prosopis</i> L. in the Kalahari Desert, South-Western Botswana

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the interactions between Prosopis plants and soils in the Kalahari area, south west of Botswana. The underlying assumptions of the research were that Prosopis plants significantly enhanced the nutrient content and improved the condition of soils in the study area, and that the height and canopy size of Prosopis plants affected the interactions between Prosopis plants and the soils. Firstly, soil samples were collected under 42 randomly selected Prosopis plant canopies and in the spaces between Prosopis plant canopies at the depth of 0-20 cm and 60-80 cm. Secondly, soil samples were collected under 45 randomly selected Prosopis plant canopies of three different categories of height and canopy size at the depth of 0-10 cm. The soil samples were analysed for soil organic carbon, pH, total nitrogen (N), electrical conductivity (EC), calcium (Ca), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg). Soil collected under Prosopis plant canopies and in the spaces between Prosopis plant canopies showed statistically significant difference in the soil organic carbon content (F = 2.68, P = 0.05, α = 0.05), pH (F = 44.81, P < 0.001; α = 0.05) and electrical conductivity (EC) (F = 3.75, P = 0.01, α = 0.05). Statistically significant difference was also observed in the comparison of soils existing under Classes 1, 2 and 3 Prosopis plant canopies in relation to pH and EC (F = 6.56, P = 0.01 and F = 4.77, P = 0.01 respectively at α = 0.05). Therefore, it was concluded that the fundamental assumptions of the study were valid.

The Effects of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora) on Soils and Plant Communities in the Deserted Rangelands of Bahrain

“…Nitrogen was twice the amount in the 0-5 cm and 5-20 cm depths in the understory compared to uncanopied adjacent areas. Our results confirmed those of Tiedemann and Klemmedson [10], Menezes and Salcedo [11], El-Keblawy and Al-Rawai [16], Mosweu et al [39], and Najafi and Jalili [24] in different regions of the world. Many authors reported high nitrogen levels underneath trees and attributed that to the accumulation of organic matter within the crown boundaries and the nitrogen-fixing ability of the plants [40,41].…”

“…Equally, significant differences existed in Magnesium (Mg) between the understory of mesquite trees and the uncanopied adjacent areas, starting from topsoil to 20-40 cm depth. e result is consistent with Tiedemann and Klemmedson [10], Menezes and Salcedo [11], El-Keblawy and Al-Rawai [16], and Mosweu et al [39]. e concentration of K showed a decreasing trend with soil depth in the understory, but not significant, compared to the uncanopied adjacent areas.…”

Mapping Climate Parameters over the Territory of Botswana Using GMT and Gridded Surface Data from TerraClimate

“…If we compare these values to the different regions of Botswana, it becomes clear that the precipitation is higher in the northern regions of the country, and in the southern along the river of Limpopo. The study of soil properties is important for environmental and landscape research [101][102][103][104][105], as soil systems directly affects the plant health through linked interactions. Thus, the variations in soil moisture indicate the environmental health of the ecosystems and dynamics in land cover types.…”