Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania

George Bunyata Bulenga; Salim Maliondo; Josiah Zephania Katani

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania

George Bunyata Bulenga, Salim Maliondo, Josiah Zephania Katani

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 8, Issue 1)

Received: 5 March 2022 Accepted: 6 April 2022 Published: 24 February 2023

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Abstract

There is a growing interest in understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of various ecosystems worldwide, because they are important indicators of soil quality and soil fertility, especially on the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth; and climate change mitigation. We tested the hypothesis that the amount and vertical distribution of SOC and TN in 0-30cm and 30-100cm depths differ significantly in miombo woodland ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from 15m-radius circular plots (n=33). SOC was determined by Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopy (ICRAF approach) and the Walkley and Black method (NAFORMA approach). The mean amount of SOC and TN at 30-100cm depth were significantly higher (p=0.003 and p=0.0001, respectively) than that within the 0-30cm depth. The amount of SOC at 20-40cm (39tCha^-1) was found to be significantly (p=0.0007) higher than at 0-20cm (32tCha^-1) followed by decreasing pattern to 100cm. On the other hand, TN decreased substantially from 0-20cm to 100cm depth. SOC was significantly (p<0.05) and positively correlated with TN. The NAFORMA approach estimated significantly (P<0.05) higher SOC than ICRAF approach. Clearing of forests for sesame cultivation invariably resulted in increased nitrogen in the top soil due to addition of ammonium fertilizers, but loss of SOC is due to removal of biomass (including slash burning) and a reduction in the quantity and quality of organic inputs added to the soil. Accurate estimation of SOC at national and regional scales should use the modern methods complimented by the standard methods in different ecosystems.

Published in	International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 8, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
Page(s)	12-20
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Miombo Woodland, Vertical Distribution, Mid-Infrared, Walkley and Black

References

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George Bunyata Bulenga, Salim Maliondo, Josiah Zephania Katani. (2023). Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 8(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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ACS Style

George Bunyata Bulenga; Salim Maliondo; Josiah Zephania Katani. Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2023, 8(1), 12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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AMA Style

George Bunyata Bulenga, Salim Maliondo, Josiah Zephania Katani. Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2023;8(1):12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12,
  author = {George Bunyata Bulenga and Salim Maliondo and Josiah Zephania Katani},
  title = {Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-20},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20230801.12},
  abstract = {There is a growing interest in understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of various ecosystems worldwide, because they are important indicators of soil quality and soil fertility, especially on the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth; and climate change mitigation. We tested the hypothesis that the amount and vertical distribution of SOC and TN in 0-30cm and 30-100cm depths differ significantly in miombo woodland ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from 15m-radius circular plots (n=33). SOC was determined by Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopy (ICRAF approach) and the Walkley and Black method (NAFORMA approach). The mean amount of SOC and TN at 30-100cm depth were significantly higher (p=0.003 and p=0.0001, respectively) than that within the 0-30cm depth. The amount of SOC at 20-40cm (39tCha-1) was found to be significantly (p=0.0007) higher than at 0-20cm (32tCha-1) followed by decreasing pattern to 100cm. On the other hand, TN decreased substantially from 0-20cm to 100cm depth. SOC was significantly (pP0.05) higher SOC than ICRAF approach. Clearing of forests for sesame cultivation invariably resulted in increased nitrogen in the top soil due to addition of ammonium fertilizers, but loss of SOC is due to removal of biomass (including slash burning) and a reduction in the quantity and quality of organic inputs added to the soil. Accurate estimation of SOC at national and regional scales should use the modern methods complimented by the standard methods in different ecosystems.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania
AU  - George Bunyata Bulenga
AU  - Salim Maliondo
AU  - Josiah Zephania Katani
Y1  - 2023/02/24
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 12
EP  - 20
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
AB  - There is a growing interest in understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of various ecosystems worldwide, because they are important indicators of soil quality and soil fertility, especially on the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth; and climate change mitigation. We tested the hypothesis that the amount and vertical distribution of SOC and TN in 0-30cm and 30-100cm depths differ significantly in miombo woodland ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from 15m-radius circular plots (n=33). SOC was determined by Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopy (ICRAF approach) and the Walkley and Black method (NAFORMA approach). The mean amount of SOC and TN at 30-100cm depth were significantly higher (p=0.003 and p=0.0001, respectively) than that within the 0-30cm depth. The amount of SOC at 20-40cm (39tCha-1) was found to be significantly (p=0.0007) higher than at 0-20cm (32tCha-1) followed by decreasing pattern to 100cm. On the other hand, TN decreased substantially from 0-20cm to 100cm depth. SOC was significantly (pP0.05) higher SOC than ICRAF approach. Clearing of forests for sesame cultivation invariably resulted in increased nitrogen in the top soil due to addition of ammonium fertilizers, but loss of SOC is due to removal of biomass (including slash burning) and a reduction in the quantity and quality of organic inputs added to the soil. Accurate estimation of SOC at national and regional scales should use the modern methods complimented by the standard methods in different ecosystems.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

George Bunyata Bulenga

Department of Ecosystems and Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
Salim Maliondo

Department of Ecosystems and Conservation, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania
Josiah Zephania Katani

Department of Forest Resources Assessment and Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania

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George Bunyata Bulenga, Salim Maliondo, Josiah Zephania Katani. (2023). Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 8(1), 12-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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ACS Style

George Bunyata Bulenga; Salim Maliondo; Josiah Zephania Katani. Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2023, 8(1), 12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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AMA Style

George Bunyata Bulenga, Salim Maliondo, Josiah Zephania Katani. Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2023;8(1):12-20. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12,
  author = {George Bunyata Bulenga and Salim Maliondo and Josiah Zephania Katani},
  title = {Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {8},
  number = {1},
  pages = {12-20},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20230801.12},
  abstract = {There is a growing interest in understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of various ecosystems worldwide, because they are important indicators of soil quality and soil fertility, especially on the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth; and climate change mitigation. We tested the hypothesis that the amount and vertical distribution of SOC and TN in 0-30cm and 30-100cm depths differ significantly in miombo woodland ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from 15m-radius circular plots (n=33). SOC was determined by Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopy (ICRAF approach) and the Walkley and Black method (NAFORMA approach). The mean amount of SOC and TN at 30-100cm depth were significantly higher (p=0.003 and p=0.0001, respectively) than that within the 0-30cm depth. The amount of SOC at 20-40cm (39tCha-1) was found to be significantly (p=0.0007) higher than at 0-20cm (32tCha-1) followed by decreasing pattern to 100cm. On the other hand, TN decreased substantially from 0-20cm to 100cm depth. SOC was significantly (pP0.05) higher SOC than ICRAF approach. Clearing of forests for sesame cultivation invariably resulted in increased nitrogen in the top soil due to addition of ammonium fertilizers, but loss of SOC is due to removal of biomass (including slash burning) and a reduction in the quantity and quality of organic inputs added to the soil. Accurate estimation of SOC at national and regional scales should use the modern methods complimented by the standard methods in different ecosystems.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Amount and Vertical Distribution of Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in a Dry Tropical Forest Ecosystem, Tanzania
AU  - George Bunyata Bulenga
AU  - Salim Maliondo
AU  - Josiah Zephania Katani
Y1  - 2023/02/24
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 12
EP  - 20
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20230801.12
AB  - There is a growing interest in understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) of various ecosystems worldwide, because they are important indicators of soil quality and soil fertility, especially on the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth; and climate change mitigation. We tested the hypothesis that the amount and vertical distribution of SOC and TN in 0-30cm and 30-100cm depths differ significantly in miombo woodland ecosystems. Soil samples were collected from 15m-radius circular plots (n=33). SOC was determined by Mid-Infrared (MIR) spectroscopy (ICRAF approach) and the Walkley and Black method (NAFORMA approach). The mean amount of SOC and TN at 30-100cm depth were significantly higher (p=0.003 and p=0.0001, respectively) than that within the 0-30cm depth. The amount of SOC at 20-40cm (39tCha-1) was found to be significantly (p=0.0007) higher than at 0-20cm (32tCha-1) followed by decreasing pattern to 100cm. On the other hand, TN decreased substantially from 0-20cm to 100cm depth. SOC was significantly (pP0.05) higher SOC than ICRAF approach. Clearing of forests for sesame cultivation invariably resulted in increased nitrogen in the top soil due to addition of ammonium fertilizers, but loss of SOC is due to removal of biomass (including slash burning) and a reduction in the quantity and quality of organic inputs added to the soil. Accurate estimation of SOC at national and regional scales should use the modern methods complimented by the standard methods in different ecosystems.
VL  - 8
IS  - 1
ER  -

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