Impact of Anthropogenic Activities on Soil Microbial, Earthworm Populations, and Carbon Mineralization in the Forest-savanna Zone of the West Mamprusi District, Ghana

Abstract

The West Mamprusi District is a subset area of Northern Ghana, one of the Savanna ecosystems experiencing forest degradation as a result of human activities. Our study was carried out in the Wungu Sacred grove and its adjacent unprotected forest in the West Mamprusi District of Ghana, with specific objectives on the abundance on soil macro and micro-organisms as well as their impact on some selected soil properties. The area was stratified into two namely, Protected and Unprotected Forest. The unprotected forest was identified by activities such as bush-burning, overgrazing, logging except farming. Four plots 25m x 100m size were set up randomly in each of the forest types for sampling. Soil samples were taken at the depth of 0-20 cm. Selected soil parameters and microbial counts were determined in the Laboratory. Earthworms were enumerated by hand. The result indicates that the soil microbial counts from both sites were significant. (P < 0.05) except for Escherichia-Coli (P>0.05). The average number of earthworms in the protected site was two times higher than the unprotected sites. Anthropogenic activities have affected the soil macro and micro-organisms, thereby decreasing the nutrient supply in unprotected Forest. Result indicates that local habitat should be harness other forms of biomass energy.