Status and Properties of Soils under Some Woody Species of Degraded Glacis in Northern Burkina Faso
Abel Kadéba *
Université de Dédougou, Institut des Sciences de l’Environnement et du Développement Rural, BP 176 Dédougou, Burkina Faso. and Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Salifou Traoré
Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Soungalo Soulama
Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso. and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique et Technologique, Institut de l’environnement et de Recherches Agricoles, Département Environnement et Forêts, 03 BP 7047, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Marco Schmidt
Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Data and Modelling Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany. and Palmengarten der Stadt Frankfurt, Scientific Service, Siesmayerstr. 61, 60326 Frankfurt, Germany.
Adjima Thiombiano
Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
Joseph Issaka Boussim
Université Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales, 03 BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Land degradation is a threat to biodiversity and has negative impacts on agricultural communities by aggravating food insecurity. The objective of this study was to examine the responses of native woody species and soil variables to different levels of glacis degradation in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. Field investigations were performed according to the degradation gradient outlined in the Braun-Blanquet method. Soil samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The results indicate that the diversity and diametric structure of woody species are functions of the glacis degradation stage. A total of eight (08) woody species were recorded on the glacis (7 species in non-degraded glacis, 7 species in moderately-degraded glacis and only 1 species in degraded glacis). Acacia raddiana is the only local woody species present in all three glacis degradation stages. It is recommended to rehabilitate degraded glacis in the Sahel in response to desertification. The high levels of sand, nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) characterize the non-degraded and moderately-degraded glacis, whereas the high levels of silt, clay, bulk density, pH-H20 and pH-Kcl indicate degraded glacis. This study can inform the future rehabilitation and management of Sahelian glacis.
Keywords: Drought, glacis, ligneous plants, sahel, soil management.