Long-Term Effects of Forest Plantation Species on Chemical Soil Properties in Southern Rwanda

Understanding the long-term effects of tree species on soil properties is crucial for the development of forest restoration policies in relation to the choice of species that meet both environmental and local livelihood needs. This study was performed in the Arboretum of Ruhande, Southern Rwanda, where monocultures of 148 deciduous and 56 conifer species have been established in 0.25 ha replicated plots from 1933 onwards. We investigated the effects of six exotic and two native tree species planted in monoculture plots and native species mixed within one self-regenerated plot on soil properties in two layers (0–5 cm and 5–10 cm depth). We measured general soil properties (pH, SOM, exchangeable base cations) and water-soluble C and N as a proxy for soil functioning. Changes in soil properties were observed in the upper soil layer for all tree species. Planting Eucalyptus species caused soil acidification, whereas soil exchangeable cations and pH were higher under native species (Entandrophragma excelsum and Polyschias fulva) and mixed native species. The effects of tree species were more pronounced for hot water-extractable C and N than for other soil properties. Their analyses could be used for detecting changes in soil functioning linked to vegetation types.

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Long-term effects of alternative and conventional fertilization II: Effects on Triticum aestivum L. development and soil properties from a Brazilian ferralsols

Russian Agricultural Sciences ◽

10.3103/s1068367416010195 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16

Author(s):

Tancredo Augusto Feitosa de Souza ◽

Andrea Fernandes Rodrígues ◽

Luciano Façanha Marques

Keyword(s):

Triticum Aestivum ◽

Soil Properties ◽

Triticum Aestivum L ◽

Long Term Effects

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Long-term effects of balanced fertilization on grass forage yield, quality and nutrient uptake, soil organic C and N, and some soil quality characteristics

Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems ◽

10.1007/s10705-009-9306-3 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 86 (3) ◽

pp. 425-438 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

S. S. Malhi ◽

M. Nyborg ◽

Y. K. Soon

Keyword(s):

Nutrient Uptake ◽

Soil Quality ◽

Quality Characteristics ◽

Forage Yield ◽

Soil Organic C ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Organic C ◽

Yield Quality ◽

C And N

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Long-term effects of rainwater conservation measure on improving yield, runoff use efficiency and soil properties of horti-pastoral system on the degraded ravine lands of India

Agricultural Water Management ◽

10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106068 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 233 ◽

pp. 106068 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Shakir Ali ◽

B.K. Sethy ◽

A.K. Parandiyal ◽

Ashok Kumar ◽

R.K. Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Properties ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Pastoral System ◽

Conservation Measure ◽

Use Efficiency

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Nest-site competition and killing by invasive parakeets cause the decline of a threatened bat population

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.172477 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 172477 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Dailos Hernández-Brito ◽

Martina Carrete ◽

Carlos Ibáñez ◽

Javier Juste ◽

José L. Tella

Keyword(s):

Native Species ◽

Population Decline ◽

Urban Environments ◽

Strong Impact ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Individual Fitness ◽

Tree Cavities ◽

Negative Impacts ◽

Site Competition

The identification of effects of invasive species is challenging owing to their multifaceted impacts on native biota. Negative impacts are most often reflected in individual fitness rather than in population dynamics of native species and are less expected in low-biodiversity habitats, such as urban environments. We report the long-term effects of invasive rose-ringed parakeets on the largest known population of a threatened bat species, the greater noctule, located in an urban park. Both species share preferences for the same tree cavities for breeding. While the number of parakeet nests increased by a factor of 20 in 14 years, the number of trees occupied by noctules declined by 81%. Parakeets occupied most cavities previously used by noctules, and spatial analyses showed that noctules tried to avoid cavities close to parakeets. Parakeets were highly aggressive towards noctules, trying to occupy their cavities, often resulting in noctule death. This led to a dramatic population decline, but also an unusual aggregation of the occupied trees, probably disrupting the complex social behaviour of this bat species. These results indicate a strong impact through site displacement and killing of competitors, and highlight the need for long-term research to identify unexpected impacts that would otherwise be overlooked.

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