Vegetation and its relation to soil nutrient and salinity in the Calabar mangrove swamp, Nigeria

Ukpong, I E (1997) Vegetation and its relation to soil nutrient and salinity in the Calabar mangrove swamp, Nigeria. Mangroves and Salt Marshes, 1 (4). pp. 211-218.

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Abstract

The study examines vegetation – environment relationships. Vegetation measurements included species frequency, density, diameter and tree height, while environmental measurements were soil particle size distribution, acid properties (pH, Al, SO4), nutrient cations (Ca, Na, Mg, K), organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and chloride content. Nypa fruticans was the dominant species in the A stratum (> 3 m tall) while Rhizophora mangle was dominant in the B stratum (1–3 m tall). The C stratum (< 1 m tall) was dominated by mangrove, Nypa and Raphia saplings. Silt was dominant and the most variable particle size fraction. A principal components analysis of the soil data indicated the first three dominant components influencing the vegetation were salinity, nutrient and soil texture. Tree height and density correlated highly with the salinity and soil texture gradients (P < 0.01), while basal area correlated with salinity and nutrient gradients (P < 0.01). While Avicannia africana in the A stratum was influenced largely by the salinity and soil texture gradients. Nypa fruticans in the B stratum was influenced by salinity and nutrients.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Thanks are due to Prof. Olusegun Areola for his support; Ifreke Ekpa and Idongesit Eshiet for assistance during field work; Chris Ugwu, for laboratory assistance and S.A. Adewunmi for computing assistance.
Uncontrolled Keywords: mangrove soil, mangrove vegetation, zonation, Nigeria
Author Affiliation: University of Uyo
Subjects: Soil Science and Microbiology > Soil Sciences
Divisions: Other Crops
Depositing User: Mr Siva Shankar
Date Deposited: 26 Mar 2012 11:35
Last Modified: 26 Mar 2012 11:35
Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1009952700317
URI: http://eprints.icrisat.ac.in/id/eprint/4188

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