Canonical Correlation Analysis across Vegetation and Soil Properties of the Disturbed and Undisturbed Coastal Forest Ecosystems

Abstract

This study presents comparative initial information about canonical correlation across forest stand parameters, diversity indices and soil properties in undisturbed forest sites (IFS), agriculture disturbed sites (ADS) and livestock disturbed sites (DGS). Data were collected from Uzigua Forest Reserve in Tanzania. Forty- seven sample plots of 25 m × 25 m were randomly established on IFS, ADS and DGS from which tree inventory data and 141 soil samples were drawn. Data were subjected into Canoco windows 4.5 software for multivariate analyses and comparisons across IFS, ADS and DGS. The correlation of tree stand parameters (TSP) and soil physical properties (SPP) were F=1.207, p=0.242 in IFS, F=2.400, p=0.012 in ADS and F=0.529, p=0.938 in DGS. For soluble bases and TSP were F=2.448, p=0.018 in IFS, F=0.687, p=0.790 in ADS and F=0.743, p=0.808 in DGS. Carbon, nitrogen and potassium (CNP) and TSP were F=0.816, p=0.572 in IFS, F=0.687, p=0.790 in ADS and F=0.070, p=0.020 in DGS. The SPP and Shannon indices had F=1.103, p<0.388 in IFS, F=0.520, p=0.714 in ADS and F=0.932, p=0.444 in DGS. The SPP and Independent Value Index (IVI) were F=0.042, p=0.996 in IFS, F=0.819, p=0.620 in ADS and F=0.633, p=0.724 in DGS. Soluble bases and equitability were F=0.119, p=0.968 in IFS, F=0.001, p=0.001 in ADS and F=0.011, p=0.001 in DGS. The CNP and IVI had F=4.246, p=0.014 in IFS, F=2.729, p=0.018 in ADS and F=2.007, p=0.060 in DGS. The mean higher canonical correlation in the non-disturbed sites indicates that crop-agriculture and livestock grazing affect the interplays between forest vegetation and soil properties. Therefore, human activity disturbs the structure and soil properties.