Browsing by Author "Meliyo, J. L."

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Assessing drivers of soil properties and classification in the West Usambara mountains, Tanzania
(Elsevier) Massawe, B. H. J.; Winowiecki, L.; Meliyo, J. L.; Mbogoni, J. D. J.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D.; Deckersf, J.; Gulinck, H.; Lyamchai, C.; Sayula, G.; Msokah, E.; Vagen, T.; Brush, G.; Jelinskii, N. A.
Assessing drivers of soil properties and classification in the West Usambara mountains, Tanzania
(Elsevier, 2017-10-16) Massawe, B. H. J.; Winowiecki, L.; Meliyo, J. L.; Mbogoni, J. D. J.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D.; Deckersf, J.; Gulinck, H.; Lyamchai, C.; Sayula, G.; Msokah, E.; Vagen, T.; Brush, G.; Jelinskii, N. A.
Improved soil information in tropical montane regions is critical for conservation, sustainable agricultural management, and land use planning, but is often challenged by topographic and land-use heterogeneity. The West Usambara mountains are a part of the Eastern Arc chain of mountains of Tanzania and Kenya, a globally important tropical montane ecoregion made up of isolated fault-block mountain complexes characterized by high biological endemism, population density, and agronomic productivity. We synthesized novel and legacy soil data from published and unpublished studies to better understand the drivers of soil property distributions and soil diversity in the West Usambaras, and to serve as a foundation for improved soil mapping efforts across the Eastern Arc. Analysis of the resulting dataset of 468 sites (ranging in elevation from 1040 to 2230 m.a.s.l.) revealed that soil properties varied more significantly by land use and topography than by soil type, suggesting that future mapping efforts in the region should focus primarily on soil property prediction and secondarily on soil classification. Sites under cultivated land uses had the lowest topsoil soil organic carbon (SOC) concentrations and highest pH values, and SOC generally increased with increasing elevation. Valley soils had significantly lower surface SOC concentrations but higher exchangeable bases and pH values than all other landscape positions. Soil pH decreased by an average of 3.5 units across the entire elevation gradient and decreased by 1 unit with elevation even after SOC, land use and landscape position were included in multiple regression models. The relationship of cation exchange capacity (CEC) to SOC and clay content varied by landscape position. Therefore, particularly in montane regions where soils can vary significantly over short distances, multiple functions may be necessary to produce improved estimates of parameters such as CEC. Soil classification was driven most strongly by topography, with Acrisols (WRB Reference Group) and Ultisols (U.S. Soil Taxonomy (ST)) as the dominant soil types, located primarily on mid slope, upper slope and crest landscape positions, making up 47% and 75% of observed profiles, respectively. However, five ST Orders and seven WRB Reference Groups were present in the dataset, with the highest soil diversity occurring at lower slope landscape positions. Conclusions drawn from this large dataset support previous work in the West Usambaras and provide a conceptual foundation from which to build improved soil maps across the Eastern Arc and in other tropical montane systems throughout the world.
Ecological biogeography of West Usambara Mountains: a study on the influence of abiotic factors to spatial distribution of plant and animal species
(INTECH) Meliyo, J. L.; Masuki, K. F. G.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Mulungu, L. S.
Ecological biogeography of West Usambara Mountains: a study on the influence of abiotic factors to spatial distribution of plant and animal species
(INTECH, 2018) Meliyo, J. L.; Masuki, K. F. G.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Mulungu, L. S.
West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania are famous for rich biodiversity and endemic species of plants and animals. Although there have been extensive studies on plant and animals species, little attention has been given on abiotic factors influencing their spatial distribution. Given rampant degradation of vegetation and associated consequence on biodiversity, knowledge on abiotic factors influencing distribution of species along the landscape become pertinent for conservation. A study was carried out to explore abiotic factors impacting plant and animals species distribution. Soil, landform and land use/cover were studied using grids of 20 m × 20 m using FAO Guidelines for Soil Profile and Habitat Descriptions. Soils were described, sampled for laboratory analysis. Spatial distribution of plant species were determined in the grids, and along the transects, every time estimating the percent cover and describing the habitat. Distribution of animal species was studied using both small mammals and rodent burrows as proxies. Trapping was done using different traps sizes, checking daily for animal caught, counting and re-trapping. Rodent burrows were estimated in same grids by examining a width of 0.5 m from end to end of grid and total number of burrows recorded. Determination of species distribution was done using GLM regression. Results show that species are influenced by elevation, which was common to both plants and animals. Topsoil soil depth was positive to plant species whereas hillshade, surface stones, cultivation and atmospheric temperature were negatively influencing plant species. Rock outcrops, surface stones and cultivation were positively influencing small mammals distribution. It is concluded that factors influencing distribution of small mammals are elevation, surface stones, rock outcrop and cultivation. Factors influencing plant species are elevation soil depth whereas cultivation, hillshade, surface stone and rock out crops negatively impact distribution. For conservation, it is recommended that the best steps are to stop human activities leading to depletion of plant species and accelerating soil erosion and allow for self-regeneration. Control of soil erosion strongly recommended as way of plant species re-establishment.
Livestock resources inventory and mapping in agro-pastoral area of Senani, Maswa District, Shinyanga, Tanzania
(Sokoine University of Agriculture) Boniface, H.; Massawe, J.; Meliyo, J. L.; Mwilawa, A.; Mashalla, B.
Selected soil properties for prediction of plague vectors and reservoirs in Mavumo area, Lushoto district, Tanzania
(RUFORUM) John, B. H.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Meliyo, J. L.; Mulungu, Loth S.; Kihupi, N. I.; Gulinck, H.
Selected soil properties for prediction of plague vectors and reservoirs in Mavumo area, Lushoto district, Tanzania
(RUFORUM, 2010-09) John, B. H.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Meliyo, J. L.; Mulungu, Loth S.; Kihupi, N. I.; Gulinck, H.
The importance of selected soil properties with respect to occurrence of plague vectors and reservoirs was studied in Lushoto District, Tanzania. Plague reservoirs showed significant correlation (p<0.05) with subsoil percent clay, topsoil percent total nitrogen, topsoil C/N, topsoil pH and topsoil DTPA extractable Cu. Plague vectors’ occurrence showed significant correlation (p<0.05) with effective soil depth, topsoil percent total nitrogen, topsoil C/N, subsoil percent organic carbon and with topsoil DTPA extractable Zn. It is recommended that plague disease control should also employ knowledge on relationships between soil properties and plague reservoirs and vectors.
Soil fertility and crop yield variability under major soil and water conservation technologies in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
(SCIENCEDOMAIN international) Mwango, Sibaway Bakari; Msanya, B. M.; Mtakwa, Peter W.; Deckers, J.; Poesen, J.; Meliyo, J. L.; Dondeyne, S.
Soil fertility and crop yield variability under major soil and water conservation technologies in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania
(SCIENCEDOMAIN international, 2014-12-15) Mwango, Sibaway Bakari; Msanya, B. M.; Mtakwa, Peter W.; Deckers, J.; Poesen, J.; Meliyo, J. L.; Dondeyne, S.
Indigenous soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies such as miraba (rectangular grass strip bounds that do not necessarily follow contours) and micro ridges have been used widely in the Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. However, their strengths and limitations to crop productivity have not been investigated. This study aimed to determine soil fertility and crop yield variability under miraba, micro ridges and bench terraces as a way to explore and compare these SWC technologies. A survey was carried out in Majulai watershed (with Acrisols as dominant soils) which is highly affected by soil degradation due to water erosion. Composite soil samples were collected from 0 - 30 cm depth in upper, middle and lower segments within bench terraces, micro ridges and miraba at the upper, mid and lower slopes of the watershed. Contents of most soil nutrients (e.g. + 2+ 2+ available P, K , Ca and Mg ) and maize grain yields varied significantly (P=.05) between SWC technologies, with the trend: bench terraces > micro ridges >miraba>control (fields with no SWC measures). Similarly under all SWC technologies soil fertility and maize grain yields varied significantly (P=.05) with slope position, showing the trend: lower slopes > mid slopes > upper slopes. Moreover, soil fertility and maize grain yields varied significantly (P=.05) between segments of the studied SWC technologies except for bench terraces. The trends for both soil fertility and maize grain yields were as follows: lower segments > middle segments > upper segments under micro ridges; lower segments > upper segments > middle segments under miraba. These observations call for management strategies and technological adjustments that would reduce pattern and magnitude of spatial variations of soil nutrients and crop yields under miraba and micro ridges for improved crop production in the Usambara Mountains.
Variability of soil organic carbon with landforms and land use in the Usambara Mountains of Tanzania
(Journal of Soil Science and Environmental Management) Meliyo, J. L.; Msanya, B. M.; Kimaro, D. N.; Massawe, B. H. J.; Hieronimo, P.; Mulungu, L. S.; Deckers, J.; Gulinck, H.