Soil Chemistry Following Afforestation of Barren Coastal Soils in Southern Guam Does Not Conform to that of Continuously Vegetated Surfaces

Abstract

The chemical changes in soils following the use of non-native Acacia trees to mitigate soil erosion from barren scars within Guam’s grassland savanna were determined and compared to continuously vegetated sites. Chemistry of the soils in a 20-yr-old Acacia site was dissimilar to that of the grasslands and adjacent native forest sites. Stoichiometry calculations which characterize ecosystem function were unique within the Acacia site. Watershed management decisions that convert previous grasslands to exotic tree forests may have long-term effects on soil nutrients and create unique soil nutrient budgets. Increased knowledge of all affected ecological processes and embracing social sciences to include human behavior traits are needed to better inform Guam’s ecosystem management decisions.