Effects of tree cover and season on soil nitrogen dynamics and microbial biomass in an African savanna woodland dominated by Colophospermum mopane

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of tree cover and season on soil N dynamics and microbial biomass in a semi-arid southern African savanna in Zimbabwe. We used a randomized complete block design with five blocks of 100 × 100 m, demarcated in a 10-ha pocket of Colophospermum mopane-dominated woodland protected from grazing and fire. In each block, we randomly selected three mopane trees with large canopies (8.3 m crown diameter) and another three with small canopies (2.7 m crown diameter). We determined soil organic carbon and nutrient concentrations, litterfall N and C inputs, microbial biomass and N transformations beneath large and small mopane trees as well as in the intercanopy areas. Soil organic carbon, microbial biomass, N, P and K were more than twice those beneath large trees than in the intercanopy areas. Rainy-season net mineral N accumulation rate in the surface soil (0–10 cm) ranged from 3.71 μg g⁻¹ mo⁻¹ in the intercanopy areas to 8.80 μg g⁻¹ mo⁻¹ beneath large trees; correspondingly, net nitrate accumulation rate ranged from 1.33 to 3.60 μg g⁻¹ mo⁻¹. Dry-season net mineral N and net nitrate accumulation rates were similar across sampling sites and did not exceed 2 and 0.4 μg g⁻¹ mo⁻¹, respectively. Litterfall N inputs were positively and significantly correlated with soil N availability, microbial biomass N and N transformations. At all sampling sites, microbial biomass and mineral N pools in the dry season were maximum when soil moisture (∼5%) and N transformations were minimum. In contrast, when soil moisture (9–13%) and N transformations were maximum in the rainy season, microbial biomass and mineral N pools were minimum. It is concluded that the improved soil conditions beneath isolated trees in semi-arid savannas may enhance herbaceous biomass yield especially of canopy shade-tolerant species.