Browsing by Author "Pepler, D."

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    Woody Species Diversity and Surface Soil Nutrients in an Opuntia Fulgida Engelm Invaded Semi-Arid Savannah Rangeland of South-West Zimbabwe
    (2018) Francis, B.; Pepler, D.; Ndagurwa, H.G.T.
    This study assessed the impact of the Opuntia fulgida invasion on the native vegetation in the south·western partt of Zimbabwe. Random sampling was used with three categories which were based on the history of invasion, namely, not invaded (O. fulgida absent), recently invaded (invaded in the mid-1990s) and historically invaded (invaded over 50 years ago}. Woody species richness and diversity and soil nutrient concentrations were assessed in each category. Soil samples were collected from the surface (O to 1Ocm) to determine the levels of pH, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and their significant differences were realised. Woody species diversity and the levels of N declined with the increase of density levels of O. fulgida, while Mg increased. Generally, pH was low in all the sites while levels of P, K and Ca were insignificant. The significant differences in soil and vegetation variables suggest that O. fuLgida is altering soil nutrient, native vegetation structure and composition. The management of O. fulgida is therefore recommended.