%0 Journal Article
%T The Effect of Land Cover Change on Soil Properties around Kibale National Park in South Western Uganda
%A J. G. M. Majaliwa
%A R. Twongyirwe
%A R. Nyenje
%A M. Oluka
%A B. Ongom
%A J. Sirike
%A D. Mfitumukiza
%A E. Azanga
%A R. Natumanya
%A R. Mwerera
%A B. Barasa
%J Applied and Environmental Soil Science
%D 2010
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2010/185689
%X The change from natural forest cover to tea and Eucalyptus is rampant in protected areas of western Uganda. The objectives were; to examine the trend in land-use /cover change and determine the effect of these changes on the physico-chemical properties of soils around Kibale National Park. The trend in land use/cover change was assessed by analyzing a series of landsat images. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were used for land-use/cover reconstruction. Three major land uses were included; woodlot (Eucalyptus grandis; 5£¿years old) ), tea (57 years old) and natural forest used as a control. Each of these land-uses were selected at two different North facing landscape positions and were replicated three times. A total of 36 composite soil samples were taken at 0¨C15 and 15¨C30£¿cm depth from natural forest, Tea plantation and eucalyptus on three ridges. Results showed that small scale farming, tea and eucalyptus plantation and built up area have increased over time, to the expense of woodlot and forest cover. Tea and Eucalyptus have induced changes in: exchangeable Mg and Ca, available P, SOM, pH, and bulk density of sub soil ( ). Landscape positions within land use also significantly influenced most soil properties ( ). Similar findings were observed by Wang et al. (2006) in commercial tea plantations in China that received nitrogen fertilizers. 1. Introduction Forest degradation in Uganda continues to be an issue of serious concern threatening to accelerate land degradation [1]. This forest loss has been mostly attributed to anthropogenic activities other than climatic forces [2]. Areas affected by the degradation include forests within and around Kibale National Park. Kibale National Park is located in Western Uganda near the foothills of the Rwenzori Mountains and contains moist evergreen forest [3]. This natural forest is punctuated with patches of grassland which are mainly around the summits of the hill tops. Earlier, people within and around the forests coexisted sustainably and had access to the forest for basic needs such as water, firewood, vegetables, honey, and medicine for domestic use [4]. However, in the 1970s and 1980s the forest experienced serious degradation mainly due to anthropogenic activities. Despite the forest providing important social and environmental benefits, it is increasingly threatened by accelerating rates of forest conversion and degradation [5]. As the area experiences crop destruction due to wild animal raids especially elephants, people have resorted to tree plantation establishment notably,
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aess/2010/185689/