Effect of African mahogany species on soil chemical properties in degraded dry semi-deciduous forest ecosystems in Ghana

Abstract

The present study assesses the effect of mixed mahogany plantation on the chemical properties of the soil after 10 years from establishment in degraded semi-deciduous dry forests in Ghana. The specific aims were to evaluate the impact of mixed mahogany plantation on the soil chemical characteristics to a depth of 30 cm. With the exception of available P, all the chemical characteristics of the soil [the soil pH, Ca, Mg, base saturation, total exchangeable base (TEB) and CEC, organic carbon, organic matter and organic N] showed significantly higher values for soils sampled from mixed mahogany plantation stands when compared to the adjacent unreforested degraded site. In particular, the soil pH was significantly (P<0.0001, t-test) higher beneath mixed plantation stands (6.23) when compared to the adjacent unreforested degraded forest site (4.96). The degraded site recorded significantly (P<0.000, t-test) higher amounts of Al. The results showed a significant decline in the levels of all the chemical properties of the soil, considering that the depth of the soil profile at both sites. Mixed plantation of African mahogany species could be used as tool to catalyze natural regeneration and to facilitate restoration of degraded forest ecosystems in Ghana