Author:
Barsosio Abraham,Kirui Bernard,Maara Nelson
Abstract
The woody vegetation in semi-arid area is important in providing ecosystem services and goods. However, it faces threats manifested in land-use changes such as mining. This study aimed at assessing the composition and diversity of woody vegetation as well as inherent soil physico-chemical parameters in a previously mined area and comparing it with a semi-pristine adjacent area. Six transects containing five plots each were established within two blocks separated by a river. In each plot, data was collected on woody tree growth characteristics and soil parameters. Thirteen woody species were recorded in the rehabilitated mined and twenty two in semi-pristine sites with Ficus sycomorus L Moraceae being the dominant species at the two sites. Woody vegetation diversity was higher in semi-pristine site than in the rehabilitated mined site. However, this was not significant (t-test, =D.F=1 P=0.767). Mean soil nutrients (F2, 7. = P=0.821), pH (F2, 7. =109.88, P=xxx), was higher in rehabilitated mined sites while mean soil temperature (F2, 7. =9.08, P=0.011) was higher in mined areas. Rehabilitating mined sites can bring back species diversity, composition, however what is not clear is whether ecosystem functions are restored.
Publisher
Science Publishing Corporation
Cited by
2 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献