Characterization of soil depth to coral bedrock and bedrock roughness in Jozani Groundwater Forest, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Said, M. S.; Msanya, B. M.; Semoka, J. R.; Maliondo, S. M.S.

dc.creator	Said, M. S.
dc.creator	Msanya, B. M.
dc.creator	Semoka, J. R.
dc.creator	Maliondo, S. M.S.
dc.date	2017-07-19T05:29:12Z
dc.date	2017-07-19T05:29:12Z
dc.date	2017
dc.date.accessioned	2022-10-25T08:50:31Z
dc.date.available	2022-10-25T08:50:31Z
dc.identifier	2229-5518
dc.identifier	https://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/1766
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/90286
dc.description	International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 2017; 8 (4): 1135-1143.
dc.description	Soils formed on coral terrain have a wide range of depths to coral bedrock and percentage of coral outcrops. Cliffs and other featuresof seawater abrasion, limited root zone, habitation and distribution of specific plant species are among the common conditions on Zanzibar coral landscapes.The current study was intended to characterize the relationship between soil depth to coral bedrock (SDCB) and bedrock roughness (BR) and determine features which are related to seawater abrasion at Jozani Groundwater Forest (JGWF). Such conditions and features have varying spatial distribution and magnitude which are likely to affect plant growth and species distribution in JGWF. The study area was divided into 320 grid points that were used as probing points for determining SDCB and BR. Global positioning system (GPS) model GARMIN etrex 10 was used to locate grid points, while a long graduated stick was used to measure depths from soil surface to coral bedrock at each point. SDCB was calculated as an arithmetic mean of measured depths and BR as standard deviation of measured depths. ArcGIS 10.1 was used to map SDCB and BR of JGWF. Kichangani in Tumbatu Islet was visited to gather information related to abrasion that took place on coastal coral bedrock. Minimum values of SDCB and BR obtained from JGWF grassland were used to rank and categorize SDCB and BR in JGWF. Results from probes on the 302 grid points showed that JGWF has range of SDCB of about 0.35 - 1.4 m and above (>1.4 m) and BR of 0.1 - 0.4 m and above (>0.4 m).Trends of SDCB and BR values in JGWF were complex, decreasing towards the cliff on the West and towards North-end, but increased in the opposite direction. It was concluded from this study that there are complex relationships between SDCB and BR on coral land and that the relationships can be captured, ranked, and mapped. Such relationships affect plant growth and species distribution. Again, flat platform which was found at Kichangani and grassland of JGWF is an evidence of seawater abrasion on coral bedrocks.
dc.format	application/pdf
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research
dc.subject	Bedrock roughness
dc.subject	Seawater abrasion
dc.subject	Soil depth to coral bedrock
dc.subject	Spatial distribution
dc.subject	Plant species
dc.subject	Zanzibar
dc.title	Characterization of soil depth to coral bedrock and bedrock roughness in Jozani Groundwater Forest, Zanzibar, Tanzania.
dc.type	Article