Influence of Trees Species on Nutrient Availability in the Forest Ecosystem

Abstract

This study assessed the influence of tree species on the availability of nutrients in the forest ecosystem. Systematic sampling technique was employed in sampling the vegetation using a quadrats size of 10 m x 10 m spaced at regular intervals of 20 m. Seven (7) woody species were selected for this study. Soil samples were collected from the sampled plots closer to the base of the species using a soil auger at a depth (0-30 cm), these were stored in well labelled Ziploc bag and taken to the laboratory for physicochemical analyses using standard methods. The result revealed that the Organic Matter (3.13 ± 0.001%) and Total Nitrogen (0.08 ± 0.001%) were higher in soils of Musanga cecroploides while available Phosphorus (14.14 ± 1.15 mg/kg) and Calcium (14. 20 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) were higher in soils of Cola argentea. Sodium was higher in soils of Mansonia altissima (0.10 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) and Musanga cecropioides (0.10 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) while Potassium was higher in soil of Coelocaryon Preussii (0.16 ± 0.01 cmol/kg). Pentaclethra macrophylla had the least values for Magnesium (5.01 ± 1.15 mg/kg) while Coelocaryon preussii (0.07 ± 0.01 cmol/kg) and Synsepalum dulcificum (0.07 ± 0.02 cmol/kg) had the least values for sodium. The nutrient compositions across the soil of selected woody species in the forest were significantly different (p<0.05). The study shows that woody species vary in their soil nutrient return and also exert great influence on soil nutrient composition in the forest ecosystem and also that trees are ecosystem engineers and are able to generate species-specific effect on soil properties that could potentially lead to feedback effect.