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Soil carbon and plant diversity distribution at the farm level in the savannah region of Northern Togo (West Africa)
M.-T. Sebastià1,2, E. Marks1, and R. M. Poch2
1Forest Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Pujada del Seminari s/n, 25280 Solsona, Spain
2University of Lleida, Av. Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain
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Abstract. In western Africa, soil organic matter is a source of fertility for food
provision and a tool for climate mitigation. In the Savannah region, strong
soil degradation linked to an increase in population threatens organic
matter conservation and agricultural yield. Soil degradation is also
expected to impact biodiversity and, with it, increase the vulnerability of
ecosystem goods and services, including the storage of soil organic carbon.
Studies of land use, plant species composition and soil fertility were
conducted for a conservation project at a demonstration farm in Northern
Togo (West Africa), host to various management regimes. Results showed a low
organic matter content of the surface soil horizons, often around 0.5%.
The highest values were found in a sacred forest within the farm (2.2%).
Among crops, rice had the highest soil organic matter, around 1%. In a
survey of grasslands, pastures showed the highest organic matter content,
with vegetation composition differing from grazed fallows and abandoned
grasslands. Plant species richness showed a positive relationship with soil
organic matter (R2adj=41.2%), but only by the end of the wet
season, when species richness was also highest. Sampling date had a strong
effect on vegetation composition. Results showed a strong influence of human
activity on soil formation and distribution, and also on plant diversity.
The soil characteristics found under the permanent forest suggest a high
potential of the soils of the region for improvement of both agricultural
yields and as a potential carbon sink relevant to global change policies.
Discussion Paper (PDF, 511 KB) Interactive Discussion (Closed, 3 Comments) Publication in BG not foreseen
Citation: Sebastià, M.-T., Marks, E., and Poch, R. M.: Soil carbon and plant diversity distribution at the farm level in the savannah region of Northern Togo (West Africa), Biogeosciences Discuss., 5, 4107-4127, 2008. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
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