Assessment of the Variations in Soil Physicochemical Parameters of the Natural Forest and Plantations in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria  

作　　者：Maureen Chinwe Odachi Nwabueze Ikenna Igu Ifeanyi Chris Onwuadiochi Maureen Chinwe Odachi;Nwabueze Ikenna Igu;Ifeanyi Chris Onwuadiochi(Department of Geography and Meteorology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria)

机构地区：[1]Department of Geography and Meteorology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

出　　处：《Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection》2024年第10期132-151,共20页地球科学和环境保护期刊（英文）

摘　　要：Soil physicochemical parameters are the physical and chemical characteristics of soil such as pH, bulk density, organic carbon, nitrogen content, and nutrient levels at different soil depths. These parameters vary from one vegetation to the other and from one soil to the other. The study assessed the variations in soil physicochemical parameters of the natural forest and plantations in Agu Eke (Eke bush) in Etti village, Nanka and Umunnebo village, Ufuma both located in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The experimental research design and stratified random sampling methods were used for the study and a total of 12 soil samples were collected at 30 cm depth from the selected locations of natural forest, cashew and palm plantations. The samples were analyzed using laboratory Varian AA240 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, after which the result was subjected to statistical analysis—Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study found that there was no significant difference (variation) between the moisture contents of natural forests and the plantations;that is, the moisture contents were the same. It was also found that there was no significant variation between the bulk densities of the natural forest, oil plantation, and cashew plantation, meaning that the bulk densities were significantly the same. However, there were significant variations in nitrogen, potassium and phosphates, with p-values: sig = .000 < .05, sig = .010 < .05 and sig = .000 < .05, respectively. That is, the nitrogen and phosphate contents of the natural forest significantly vary more than those of the oil palm and cashew plantations, which probably means that by reducing natural forest to plantation, the nitrogen and phosphate contents of the natural forest reduced from what it used to be when the lands were mere forests. This shows that plantations do not have the same function of maintaining or improving soil quality as natural forests. The study recommended adopting a sustainable plantation agricultural system, such as usingSoil physicochemical parameters are the physical and chemical characteristics of soil such as pH, bulk density, organic carbon, nitrogen content, and nutrient levels at different soil depths. These parameters vary from one vegetation to the other and from one soil to the other. The study assessed the variations in soil physicochemical parameters of the natural forest and plantations in Agu Eke (Eke bush) in Etti village, Nanka and Umunnebo village, Ufuma both located in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State. The experimental research design and stratified random sampling methods were used for the study and a total of 12 soil samples were collected at 30 cm depth from the selected locations of natural forest, cashew and palm plantations. The samples were analyzed using laboratory Varian AA240 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, after which the result was subjected to statistical analysis—Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study found that there was no significant difference (variation) between the moisture contents of natural forests and the plantations;that is, the moisture contents were the same. It was also found that there was no significant variation between the bulk densities of the natural forest, oil plantation, and cashew plantation, meaning that the bulk densities were significantly the same. However, there were significant variations in nitrogen, potassium and phosphates, with p-values: sig = .000 < .05, sig = .010 < .05 and sig = .000 < .05, respectively. That is, the nitrogen and phosphate contents of the natural forest significantly vary more than those of the oil palm and cashew plantations, which probably means that by reducing natural forest to plantation, the nitrogen and phosphate contents of the natural forest reduced from what it used to be when the lands were mere forests. This shows that plantations do not have the same function of maintaining or improving soil quality as natural forests. The study recommended adopting a sustainable plantation agricultural system, such as using

关 键 词：ECOSYSTEM Land Use Change Soil Quality Physical and Chemical Characteristics 

分 类 号：S71[农业科学—林学]