Evaluation of Litter Yield Capacity and Soil Properties of Isho Riparian Forest in Re-fragmented Akehie Stream Forest Reserve, Nigeria

Abstract

Forest litter plays a key role in sustaining soil moisture, structure, nutrients, and ecological stability within riparian ecosystems. This study examined litter fall as an influential edaphic moisture regulator in the Isho Community riparian forest of the re-fragmented Akehie Stream Forest Reserve, Nigeria. Four (4) litter types (reproductive part, residues, leaves and twigs) were collected from four delineated forest ranges 0–300, 310–600, 610–900, and 910–1200m using litter traps in a stratified sampling design, along with underlying soil samples at 0-20cm depth to ascertain the physicochemical properties. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and significant means were grouped using the DMRT at 5%. Results showed significant spatial variations (p < 0.05) with leaf litter (938.30 kgha-1) in the 910-1200m (9.33 ± 2.96 kgha-1) forest range as the highest contributor of total litter fall > reproductive parts > residues > twigs. Macronutrient concentrations varied along the forest range, with the 310–600 m range having the highest N (2.85 g kg-1), P (1.92 g kg-1), K (3.26 g kg-1), and Ca (4.17 g kg-1) values compared to the 0–300 m range. The 910–1200m forest range had the highest moisture content (31.95 ± 0.67%), organic matter (2.56 ± 0.08%) and least bulk density (1.35 ± 0.01 gcm-3), with superior soil structure, porosity, and aggregate stability of wet Mean Weight Diameter (0.26–0.97mm) and dry Mean Weight Diameter (0.43–1.91 mm) The specific dispersion energyrecorded was 910-1200 (6.62 ± 0.28 Jg-1) > 610-900 > 310-600 > 0-300m. The K (1.23 Cmolkg-1) and CEC (1.13 Cmolkg-1) were significantly skewed (≥ 2x standard error [(6/n)0.5]), underling potential control of litter fall timing vis-à-vis nutrient supply in the riparian forest.