THE EFFECT OF LATE AND EARLY BURNING ON SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, PLANT SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE AT FALGORE GAME RESERVE, KANO
THE EFFECT OF LATE AND EARLY BURNING ON SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, PLANT SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE AT FALGORE GAME RESERVE, KANO
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Date
2011-09
Authors
MINJIBIR, SADIQ ADAMU
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Abstract
The effects of early and late burning on Falgore Game Reserve were studied for two
seasons from December, 2008 to August, 2009. The Reserve lies in the Guinea Savanna
zone of Kano state. Three plots adjacent to each other were selected and subjected to three
different burning regimes. Composite soil samples were collected at 0-15 Cm depth and
analyzed for particle size distribution, percentage available Water, soil pH, percentage
Organic Carbon, percentage Nitrogen, Phosphorus and the cations, Sodium, Magnesium,
Calcium and Potassium. Plant species composition and abundance was determined by
quadrat method. From the result species diversity index and species evenness were
calculated. The data collected were analyzed by SAS statistical software to test for
significant differences at 5% level of significance. Where significant differences occur
Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used to separate the means. Evaluation of obtained
data on the effects of burning on the soil indicated that both early and late burning led to
significant increases in soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Na, K, Ca, and
Mg likewise produce increases. The increase was probably due to rapid mineralization of
organic matter. This increase was however, higher for plots burnt early. There was a
marked increase in percentage silt and clay content. Percentage available water decreased
in both late and early burnt plots. Burning decreased species diversity and species
evenness. However, number of individual leguminous plants species increased. Positive
correlation was noted between most of the physico-chemical soil properties.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN BIOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
SEPTEMBER, 2011
Keywords
EARLY BURNING,, SOIL PHYSICOCHEMICAL,, PROPERTIES,, PLANT SPECIES COMPOSITION,, ABUNDANCE AT FALGORE GAME RESERVE, KANO