Abstract:
The study examined the soil properties associated with the invasive Nypafruticans (INF) and
native mangrove plants (NMP) in Ibeno LGA, AkwaIbom, Nigeria. Six 10m x 10m transect were
laid randomly in the INF and NMP for the soil samples collection. Soil samples were collected at
the depth of 0-15m (topsoil) and analysed using the standard methods. Results showed that the
soils at both INF and NMP were alkaline (7.13 to 7.14). INF had higher concentration of
hydrocarbon (1315.3 mg/kg) NO3 (39.23 mg/kg) and available P (2.601 mg/kg) were higher
under INF while K (694.23 mg/kg). Na (506.58 mg/kg), Mg (352.8 mg/kg), Mn (37.98 mg/kg)
and Cl-
(11653 mg/kg), and conductivity (3228.33 µS/cm) were significantly higher in soils
under NMP than the INF at p<0.05. Therefore, presence of invasive species (Nypafruticans)
alters the soil properties of a mangrove ecosystem. |
