Effect of piospheres on physio-chemical soil properties in the Southern Rangelands of Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Water-based interventions haphazardly introduced in the drylands of Kenya have led to the introduction of piospheres used as concentration mounts. Not much is known about the effect of these piospheres on soil physio-chemical properties, especially in the Kenyan rangelands where the government and other development agencies have created piospheres aimed at curbing water shortages and sustaining livestock production. The study assessed the effect of piospheres on soil physio-chemical characteristics in the southern rangelands of Kajiado, Kenya, in order to provide evidence-based insights that will be useful in guiding future water interventions. Methods: Soil samples were collected within 0.25-m 2 plots at 20-m intervals along 100-m transects from three piospheres (a dam, a trough, and a seasonal river). Two-way ANOVA was used to determine if there were significant differences in soil parameters between piospheric distances. Results: Soil bulk density significantly different between piospheric distances (F = 22.25, P = 0.001) and piospheres (F = 13.10, P = 0.002), being highest at 20 m from the trough (1.1-1.21 gcm

Long-Term Impact of Transhumance Pastoralism and Associated Disturbances in High-Altitude Forests of Indian Western Himalaya

“…Petr., Veronica laxa Benth., Ranunculus hirtellus Royle, Malva neglecta Wallr., Polygonum aviculare L., Erodium cicutarium (L.), and Mentha longifolia L. around nomadic settlements, result in alterations of plant community composition [76]. It has been investigated that the high nutrient levels due to the increase in cattle faeces and urine may allow the establishment of weedy plants [77,78]. The unintentional introduction of weedy plant species to new habitats by creating disturbed habitats such as piospheres has created new opportunities for the dispersal of weedy plants in natural forest habitat [79,80].…”

Rainfall and Soils, Not Grazing Intensity, Determine the Composition and Productivity of Annual Plants in a Biodiverse Arid Winter Rainfall Region

“…The establishment of watering points and stock posts in arid and semi-arid rangelands has had significant impacts on dryland biodiversity, as they result in herbivores to be concentrated year-round in areas where the vegetation evolved with low and transient herbivore densities (Jawuoro et al, 2017). In the vicinity of stock posts and watering points, grazers generate areas of altered soils and vegetation known as piospheres, where grazing, trampling and animal waste are highly concentrated (Nsinamwa et al, 2005, Brooks et al, 2006.…”