Abstract
Understanding the variability of physico-chemical properties of soil along a toposequence is essential for smallholder farming communities. However, these resource constraint farmers in Ghana’s Moist Semi-Deciduous Forest (MSDF) zone poorly understand how slope positions affect soil properties. Therefore, soil variability assessment along a toposequence was carried out on Bekwai-Nzima/Oda compound association. From the summit to valley bottom slope positions, soil samples were taken at two depths (0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm). As shown by the coefficient of variation, topsoil (0 - 20 cm) had the highest variation compared to the subsoil (20 - 50 cm). The variations observed in most soil attributes (clay, silt, pH, CEC, SOC and TN) for the 0 to 20 and 20 to 50 cm depths were between eroded (summit and upper slopes) and depositional (lower slope and valley bottom) zones. The highly variable soil attributes were silt, TN, Av. P, and Av. K. However, bulk density and sand were the least variable irrespective of soil depth or toposequence. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between most soil attributes at the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm depths at different slope positions. Principal component (PC) analysis indicated that the first four PCs explained more than 80% and 70% of the total variation for the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm soil depths, respectively. Statistically, our results revealed a significant effect of slope position on soil properties (p < 0.05) and topography influenced soil characteristics and development. Soil pH, sand, silt and clay contents were less affected by slope gradient, which confirms the inherent nature of these highly weathered tropical soils. The findings of this study can serve as a reference for the formulation of soil management strategies for smallholder farm communities.
Highlights
Soil, an essential natural resource, is a key component of West African agroecosystems [1]
Descriptive statistics of all physical and chemical properties at the five identified slope positions for the 0 - 20 and 20 - 50 cm soil depths are summarized in Table 4 and Table 5; Figure 3 and Figure 4
This study indicated that landscape position, soil depth and drainage significantly influenced soil variability and this variation relates to inherent factors of soil genesis, prevailing vegetation, and land-use systems
Summary
An essential natural resource, is a key component of West African agroecosystems [1]. Our existence is dependent on this natural capital [2] This resource provides food, feed, fibre and timber for the local and international market [3]. The soil-landscape plays a significant role in determining the shape of a landscape and is directly influenced by slope position, aspect, and gradient. This has resulted in local and regional climatic systems that influence rainfall, temperature, humidity, and evapotranspiration. These significantly affect soil properties and plant growth processes related to ecosystem function [13]. According to Begum et al (2010) [16] and Wang et al (2016) [17], this affects water and nutrient movement in the soil landscape, causing variation in soil properties [18] [19]
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