Bio-Mechanical Investigation on the Physical Resilience of Selected Dominating Shrubs in Semi-Arid Region of Dodoma

Emanuel Jacob,Miraji Hossein

doi:10.4236/jbm.2015.311018

Abstract

Physical and mechanical disturbances which interfere with shrubs survival are very common in semi-arid regions. Biomechanical adoptive features of these shrubs therefore account for their competitive and survival possibilities. Current study investigated physico-ecological properties of five stem cuttings of selected dominating shrubs from Dodoma Municipal that explain their physical resilience. Experimental findings revealed that Acacia nilotica (AN) had the best mechanical adaptations by having the highest values of Young’s modulus of elasticity (E) 332.61 kPa, percentage critical height (PCH) 6.00, whole stem flexibility (WSF) 0.1, flexural stiffness (FS) 7.46 Nm2 as well as angle of deflection (AD). Ziziphus mucronata (ZM) was next to AN, followed by Grewia bicolor (GB) then Acacia tortilis (AT). Boscia grandiflora (BG) had the least mechanical adaptations with the lowest E of 20.94 kPa, PCH of 4.00, WSF of 0.09 as well as FS of 2.90 Nm2. This implied Acacia nilotica having the best ecological adaptations in the semi-arid region while Boscia grandiflora had the least adaptive feature compared to the rest.

Highlights

The survival of all organisms is highly influenced and affected by both natural and anthropogenic activities.How to cite this paper: Hossein, M. and Jacob, E. (2015) Bio-Mechanical Investigation on the Physical Resilience of Selected Dominating Shrubs in Semi-Arid Region of Dodoma
Natural selection favors survival of plant stems with biomechanical adaptations and competitive ability that optimize reconstruction and maintenance costs [7]
Variation in masses depends on the compactness of plant tissues as well as fibers

Summary

Introduction

The survival of all organisms is highly influenced and affected by both natural and anthropogenic activities. (2015) Bio-Mechanical Investigation on the Physical Resilience of Selected Dominating Shrubs in Semi-Arid Region of Dodoma. Species with high mechanical strength in their stems and leaves are less affected by herbivores, diseases and suffer less and recover quickly on mechanical damage [8] and [9] These species are said to have high resilience, a capacity to regain its fundamental structure, processes and functioning when stressed [10] and [11]. Resistance refers to the capacity of an ecosystem to retain its fundamental structure and processes despite stresses [12] Both resilience and resistance are ecological aspect for shrubs survival in particular climatic conditions [13]. This article is intending in addressing biomechanical properties of the five most dominating semi-arid species from Dodoma Municipal towards their physical resilience

Study Area

Characteristics of Selected Species

Experimentation

Results and Discussion

Conclusion and Recommendations