Recycling organic waste in managed tropical forest ecosystems: effects of arboreal litter types on soil chemical properties in Abeokuta, southwestern Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the influence of tree litters on soil nutrients in a managed forest in southwestern Nigeria. Mono species tree clusters consisted of indigenous species: Gmelina arborea, Tectona grandis, Leucaena leucocephala, Bambusa vulgaris, Treculia africana, Anogeissus leiocarpus were selected and analyzed for their litter and soil chemical properties at 0–5 and 15–30 cm. T. africana and T. grandis litters have the highest nutrients, while L. leucocephala and A. leiocarpus are the lowest. Soils under G. arborea, T. africana, and A. leiocarpus are more acidic due to lower calcium and magnesium contents but have higher manganese and sulphur levels. Tree litters improved soil nitrogen, phosphorous, and micro-nutrients but depleted potassium. Litter lignin and carbon appeared to hinder the release of some nutrients. Nitrogen, potassium and copper are concentrated in the topsoil while others nutrients are not differentiated with soil depth. There is a positive correlation between litter chemistry and soil chemical properties. It was concluded that tree litter chemistry differs according to species but determines soil reaction and nutrient content. The magnitude of the effect on soil properties is related to the quality of the organic litters.

Keywords

Litter chemistry / Nutrient stocks / Soil chemical properties / Tropical trees / Biosystems

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