Effect of forest species on soil nutrient stocks in derived savannah ecosystem, in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Abstract The study aims to determine the impact of forest tree species of on some soil properties and soil nutrient stocks. Triplicate soil samples were collected from mono species tree clusters consisted of Gmelina arborea, Bambusa vulgaris, Treculia africana, were selected with arable crop farm, fadama and organic farm and analyzed for some soil chemical properties and nutrient stocks at 0–20 cm, 20–40 cm, 40–60 cm and 60-80cm using standard procedures. Results indicated that soil organic matter under the different tree types are concentrated between 0–20 cm and 20–40 cm. There was increase in soil pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, hydraulic conductivity and bulk density at 20–40 and 40–60 cm depths. Soil nutrient stocks (sulphate, phosphate and nitrates) are concentrated at depths 20–40 cm and 40–60 cm. On the average soils accumulated 75.57 Mg PO43− ha− 1, 56.19 Mg SO42− ha− 1 and 37.57 Mg NO3− ha− 1. Soils under tree plantations had higher nutrient stocks compared with the non-tree landuse, with Bambusa vulgaris having the highest accumulation of nutrients. Tree species improved soil properties and nutrient stocks than the non-tree land use. Treculia africana and Bambusa vulgaris had higher soil nutrient stocks than other landuse.