Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
IntroductionExclusion of grazing animals and tree plantations were among the methods used for the restoration of degraded lands in tropical semiarid areas. Exclosures can foster secondary forest succession by improving soil conditions and modifying microclimate for understory growth. This paper compared the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) spore density, root colonization of woody plants and soil chemical properties under exclosure with increasing age, and grazing land at different slope positions.MethodsThe study was conducted in northern Ethiopia from 12 exclosure sites paired each with adjacent grazing land in total from 24 sites with four treatments replicated three times. In the entire study, 216 plots were examined of which 108 were in exclosures and 108 in communal grazing lands. There were four age classes and three slope positions in each of the land uses. Composite soil and root samples were collected using nested plots measuring 100m2 from four sides of 1763 plants for spore enumeration and root colonization. Soils for chemical properties were collected from the four corners and center of 5 m × 5 m plots.ResultsAll the 61 woody plant species that belong to 41 families were colonized by AMF. Spore density and root colonization were significantly higher in exclosures as compared to grazing land and increased with increasing ages of exclosures. Foot slope had significantly higher spore density and root colonization than middle and upper slopes. Soil chemical properties were significantly higher in the exclosure, oldest age of exclosure, and foot slope position (except P). AMF spore density and root colonization were significantly positively correlated with soil chemical properties.ConclusionsExclosures are helpful to restore the AMF spore density and root colonization of woody species and soil fertility.
Highlights
Exclusion of grazing animals and tree plantations were among the methods used for the restoration of degraded lands in tropical semiarid areas
We investigated the spore density in the soils and woody plant root colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) from paired exclosure and adjacent grazing land with increasing age of exclosures at the foot, middle, and upper slope hillsides
We aimed to answer the following questions: What is the dynamics of AMF with increasing age exclosures at different slope positions? Does the availability of nutrients correlated with AMF spore density and root colonization? And does the increase in the age of exclosures increased the availability of nutrients at different slope positions?
Summary
Exclusion of grazing animals and tree plantations were among the methods used for the restoration of degraded lands in tropical semiarid areas. Exclosures are areas closed off from the interference of human and domestic animals with the goal of promoting natural regeneration of plants and reducing land degradation of formerly degraded communal grazing lands (Nedessa et al 2005). They are usually established in steep, eroded, and degraded areas that have been used for Birhane et al Ecological Processes (2017) 6:33 properties are improved (Girmay et al 2009; Mekuria et al 2009; Mekuria et al 2007; Yami et al 2007; Descheemaeker et al 2006a, b). Exclosures have been reported to positively contribute to restore soil biological properties such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Birhane et al 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
