Response of riparian plant communities to distance from surface water in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Tsheboeng, Gaolathe; Murray-Hudson, Michael; Kashe, Keotshephile

doi:10.1111/aje.12364

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…We found that plant species diversity in riparian woodlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in China varied with distance from the river. Our results are inconsistent with those from Lite et al [34], Zenner et al [35], and Tsheboeng et al [42], who found no overall variation in species richness as a function of distance from river. We expect that our results may differ due to the unique geomorphology of the Yellow River.…”

Section: Variation In Plant Species Diversity Along Lateralcontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…However, with regard to Pielou's evenness (J) and Simpson's diversity (D), there was no significant difference among the four subzones. On one hand, this suggests that distance from the river may either have no significant impact on the distribution of species inhabiting the riparian zone, or that they have a significant influence on species composition alone [42]. On the other hand, there might be other environmental gradients [9,11,43] or anthropogenic disturbances [14,17,18] that control the characteristics of species evenness or diversity in this ecosystem that were not included in the present study.…”

Section: Variation In Plant Species Diversity Along Lateralmentioning

confidence: 87%

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Relationships between Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity in Riparian Woodlands Along the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River, China

Zhao¹,

Xu²,

Tang³

et al. 2020

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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Riparian woodlands play a significant role in hosting plant diversity and maintaining soil and water resources. However, riparian woodlands are highly sensitive to fluvial and human disturbances, and most are now degraded as a result. In this study, we analyze variation in soil nutrients and plant diversity and their relationships in riparian woodlands along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River in China, based on field investigation. Our results indicate that soil nutrient content and plant diversity were lowest in plots located closest to the river. Specifically, we found a hump-shaped relationship with increasing distance from river. This result can be attributed to the intermediate disturbance hypothesis,which explains that species diversity increase at intermediate disturbance levels. However, total species richness within each subzone was greatest close to the river, due primarily to the high level of species turnover observed among plots located closest to the river. Soil nutrients in the riparian woodlands were positively correlated with plant diversity across all distances. Specifically, soil TC, NO 3 --N, and A-P contents were significantly correlated with plant species richness and diversity.This relationship also conformed to a hump-shaped response curve between species richness and soil nutrients, though species richness increases with increasing nutrient levels. Results from this study can provide a basis for sustainable management of riparian ecosystems.

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Section: Variation In Plant Species Diversity Along Lateralcontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Variation In Plant Species Diversity Along Lateralmentioning

confidence: 87%

Relationships between Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity in Riparian Woodlands Along the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River, China

Zhao¹,

Xu²,

Tang³

et al. 2020

Pol. J. Environ. Stud.

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“…The recent study by Tsheboeng et al (2017) investigated the influence of distance from surface water on riparian plant species composition and distribution in the Okavango Delta. However, that study was limited as it did not study response of plant species to distance from surface water in different sites.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial variation of the influence of distance from surface water on riparian plant communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Tsheboeng

2018

Ecol Process

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Introduction: Understanding the environmental factors that influence riparian vegetation community composition and distribution is important for understanding wetland ecosystem functioning. This understanding can further serve to inform policy aimed at conserving wetlands such as the Okavango Delta. In the Okavango Delta, information on the influence of distance from surface water on vegetation community composition and structure is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between distance from surface water and riparian plant communities at different sites in the Okavango Delta. Methods: Vegetation sampling was conducted in four sites in 20 m × 10 m belted plots placed perpendicular to the river bank at 0-10 m, 10-20 m, 20-30 m, 30-40 m, and 40-50 m distance classes. At each site, 10-15 plots were sampled at each distance class. Basal area, species richness, cover, and plant diversity were determined for each plot. Indicator species analysis was used to determine the characteristic species at each distance class. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc analyses were used to compare species diversity, richness, cover, and basal area between distance classes. Generalized linear mixed (GLM) model was used to test for the overall impact of site and distance on each plant parameter. Results: Mean species richness was significantly (p < 0.05) higher at 0-10 m than at 20-30 m, 30-40 m, and 40-50 m in Boro. There was no significant difference within other sites. Mean species diversity also varied significantly (p < 0.05) in Boro where it was higher at 0-10 m and 10-20 m than at 30-40 m. Mean basal area differed significantly within Jao and Upper Panhandle. In Jao, it was higher (p < 0.05) at 0-10 m than at other distance classes. Mean percentage canopy cover differed significantly within all sites. In addition to this, plant species composition also changed along distance from surface water within each site. From GLM analysis, both distance and site significantly (p < 0.05) influenced diversity and basal area. Species richness and cover were significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by site only. Conclusion: Distance from surface water and site are important determinants of riparian plant dynamics in the Okavango Delta.

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“…This difference could suggest that not all species are favoured by the prevailing environmental conditions in the distal regions of the Delta. The Syzygium cordatum-Phoenix reclinata woodland community is associated with frequent flooding conditions, which are absent in the riparian zone of the distal regions of the Okavango Delta (Tsheboeng et al 2016b), hence, its exclusion along the Thamakalane River, which is a seasonally flooded area. Croton megalobotrys was a dominant species along the Thamalakane River and the upstream regions of the Delta.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Classification of riparian woody plant communities along the Thamalakane River in northwestern Botswana.

Tsheboeng

2020

Bots. J. Agric. Appl. Sci.

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There is still paucity of information on the species composition of woody species along the Thamalakane River, northern Botswana, which may limit efforts aimed at conserving riparian woodland species. The current study was aimed at classifying the vegetation, and determining the species composition and diversity of the riparian woodland plant communities along the Thamalakane River. It was hypothesized that there will be no different woodland communities along the Thamalakane River. The 71 sampling plots measured 1000m2 (20m × 50m). In each plot,the percentage cover for each species was estimated following the Braun-Blanquet scale. Different woodland communities were determined through Hierarchical Cluster Analysis followed by Indicator Species Analysis. Multi-Response Permutation Procedures (MRPPs) were used to determine whether or not there was a significant separation between the groups. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to statistically compare the diversity between woodland communities. Five major woodland communities were identified along the Thamalakane River, namely Vachellia tortilis-Gardenia volkensii, Combretum imberbe-Gymnosporia senegalensis, Philenoptera violacea-Garcinia livingstonei, Dichrostachys cinerea-Flueggea virosa and Croton megalobotrys-Colophospermum mopane. There was significant (p <0.05) separation between the plant groups. Species diversity was highest in Dichrostachys cinerea-Flueggea virosa community and lowest in Vachellia tortilis-Gardenia volkensii community. The distribution of woodland species in along Thamalakane river could be influenced by human disturbance, which may override abiotic environmental conditions such as flooding in influencing the composition and distribution of plant species. This calls for proper management initiatives of the riparian vegetation in the study area. Such initiatives may include establishment of exclosures to promote the germination and propagation of the woodland species. Other strategies may include education and awareness creation of the local communities to promote their co-existence with the riparian vegetation.

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Response of riparian plant communities to distance from surface water in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Cited by 12 publications

References 20 publications

Relationships between Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity in Riparian Woodlands Along the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River, China

Relationships between Soil Nutrients and Plant Diversity in Riparian Woodlands Along the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River, China

Spatial variation of the influence of distance from surface water on riparian plant communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Classification of riparian woody plant communities along the Thamalakane River in northwestern Botswana.

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