Diversity and abundance of macro-invertebrates on abandoned cattle kraals in a semi-arid savanna.

ABSTRACT: Abandoned cattle (Bos taurus) kraals are sources of habitat heterogeneity in dystrophic semi-arid African savannas with a strong positive effect on soil nutrients and plant productivity. However, little is known regarding how macro-invertebrate assemblages vary between abandoned kraals and the surrounding savanna matrix. We tested whether herbaceous biomass and basal and aerial covers and soil nutrients have an effect on aboveground and belowground macro-invertebrate assemblages. Twelve abandoned kraals were contrasted with their paired control plots for soil characteristics, herbaceous productivity, and macro-invertebrate assemblages in Save Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe. Abandoned kraals had significantly higher concentrations of soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), an

SUBMITTER: Muvengwi J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6145025 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature