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The influence of mistletoes on nitrogen cycling in a semi-arid savanna, south-west Zimbabwe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2013

Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa ,
John S. Dube  and
Donald Mlambo
Hilton G. T. Ndagurwa*
Affiliation:
Forest Ecology Laboratory, Faculty of Applied Science, National University of Science & Technology, P.O. Box AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Department of Forest Resources & Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Science, National University of Science & Technology, P.O. Box AC 939 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
John S. Dube
Affiliation:
Department of Animal Science & Rangeland Management, Lupane State University, P.O. Box AC 255 Ascot, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Donald Mlambo
Affiliation:
Border Timbers Limited, 1 Aberdeen Road P.O. Box 458 Mutare, Zimbabwe
*
1Corresponding author. Email: hilton.ndagurwa@nust.ac.zw
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Abstract:

This study investigated the effects of mistletoe infection on N cycling in a semi–arid savanna, south-west Zimbabwe. We established five plots (10 × 10 m) which each included three large canopy-dominant Acacia karroo trees infected by one of three mistletoes (Erianthemum ngamicum, Plicosepalus kalachariensis and Viscum verrucosum) and non-infected A. karroo trees. In each plot, we measured litterfall, litter quality (N, phenolics, tannins and lignin), soil nutrient concentrations and N transformations beneath tree canopies. Soil N, P and Ca were greatest beneath trees infected by P. kalachariensis than beneath non-infected trees. Litterfall and litter N returns were 1.5, 2 and 1.4 times more beneath A. karroo trees infected by E. ngamicum, P. kalachariensis and V. verrucosum, respectively. Mineral N increased with mistletoe infection but did not exceed 20%. Soil N transformations were greater beneath trees infected by E. ngamicum (> 40%), and lower beneath trees infected by P. kalachariensis (<50%) and V. verrucosum (<48%) than beneath non-infected A. karroo trees. Soil N transformations were negatively correlated with condensed tannins, lignin and lignin : N. We conclude that the improved N concentration can increase resource heterogeneity, which may alter the ecosystem structure and functioning in the semi-arid savanna.

Keywords

Africalitter qualitymineralizationmistletoenitrificationphenolicssavannatannins
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , March 2013 , pp. 147 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013

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