Vegetation Patchy Dieback: A Case Study of Colophospermum mopane Vegetation Type in Semi-arid Botswana | Chapter 09 | Research Aspects in Biological Science Vol. 2

 Drought, soil surface condition, and soil chemistry have all been linked to patch dieback of Colophospermum mopane (Kirk ex Benth.) Kirk ex J. Léonard in South Africa. Vachellia xanthophloea (Benth.) P. J. H. Hurter, synonyms Acacia xanthophloea Benth, has been documented in east Africa, and has been related to both increasing ground water tables and increased soil salinity during a period of greater rainfall. In Botswana's north-eastern area, dieback of C. mopane and other species was discovered in 2012. (North West of Francistown). The causes of the observed dieback remained unclear. The purpose of this study was to figure out what was causing the dieback and what was causing it. The study's specific goals were to identify the woody species. what locals believe the reasons of the dieback were, and if rainfall, temperature, and soil type had an impact on the dieback. The research was based on a field survey to identify dieback-affected species, their relative composition, and the locations impacted. Residents in the affected regions were also asked to fill out a questionnaire about what they felt caused the dieback. The Department of Meteorological Services provided rainfall and temperature data. It was discovered that not only C. mopane, but also other species were damaged. It was discovered that not only C. mopane, but also Dichrostachys cinerea, Combretum hereroense, and Terminalia prunioides were impacted. There was a lot of evidence that the dieback was caused by a combination of low temperature and soil type. Trees died faster on heavy clay soils than on loamy soils. The study's findings tend to indicate that dwarf C. mopane on heavy clay soil areas may be the consequence of periodic diebacks.

Author(S) Details

Shimane W. Makhabu
Department of Biological Sciences, Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Private bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana.

Rabson Nthata
Tashata Community Junior Secondary School, P/Bag T23, Tatitown, Botswana.

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