Wetlands play a number of vital roles in the ecosystem, such as serving as nutrient sinks, preventing floods, storing carbon, and filtering water. Encroachment on wetlands has led to substantial economic and environmental losses, including water quality degradation, loss of biodiversity and natural habitats, reduced climate mitigation as well as social and health risks. This study evaluated the effect of different land use types on nutrient stock distribution across varying soil depths in Busega wetland. The soil samples were collected in three different land uses (annually cultivated areas, perennially cultivated areas, and the undisturbed wetland area) at three different depths (0 - 10 cm, 10 - 20 cm, and 20 - 30 cm) in 2021. The soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical soil properties including soil texture and nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, and potassium concentrations. The interaction between land use type and soil depth did not have a significant effect on nutrient distribution. However, our results showed that the main effects of land use type and soil depth influenced nutrient stock distribution across the wetland. Higher nutrient concentrations were observed under perennial cropping system than in both annual cropping system and the undisturbed wetland area. Soils under perennial cropping systems had the highest soil organic matter (1.45%), calcium (2.06 Cmol/Kg) and potassium (0.091 Cmol/Kg) levels. Higher soil organic matter (1.40%), nitrogen (0.22%), calcium (1.74 Cmol/Kg), and potassium (0.07 Cmol/Kg) were found at the mid-soil depth of 10 - 20 cm. Our results show substantial nutrient changes due to agricultural activities in the Busega wetland, suggesting further research is urgently needed to determine if these changes have adverse effects on biodiversity and water quality of the wetland and nearby water resources.
References
[1]
Alikhani, S., Nummi, P. and Ojala, A. (2021) Urban Wetlands: A Review on Ecological and Cultural Values. Water, 13, Article 3301. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13223301
[2]
Delle Grazie, F.M. and Gill, L.W. (2022) Review of the Ecosystem Services of Temperate Wetlands and Their Valuation Tools. Water, 14, Article 1345. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091345
Fynn, R.W.S., Murray-Hudson, M., Dhliwayo, M. and Scholte, P. (2015) African Wetlands and Their Seasonal Use by Wild and Domestic Herbivores. WetlandsEcologyandManagement, 23, 559-581. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-015-9430-6
[5]
Matovu, B., Sarfo, I., Bbira, Y., Yeboah, E., Muhoozi, Y. and Lukambagire, I. (2024) Navigating through Complexity by Profiling the Main Threats to Sustainable Tropical Wetlands Management and Governance: A Case Study of Mityana District, Uganda. DiscoverEnvironment, 2, Article No. 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44274-024-00041-5
[6]
Kalanzi, W. (2015) Local Governments and Wetland Conservation in Uganda: Contributions and Challenges. Journal of Public Administration, 50, 157-171.
[7]
James Gideon, O. and Bernard, B. (2018) Effects of Human Wetland Encroachment on the Degradation of Lubigi Wetland System, Kampala City Uganda. EnvironmentandEcologyResearch, 6, 562-570. https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2018.060606
[8]
Wang, Q., Liu, J., Wang, Y., Guan, J., Liu, Q. and Lv, D. (2012) Land Use Effects on Soil Quality along a Native Wetland to Cropland Chronosequence. EuropeanJournalofSoilBiology, 53, 114-120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2012.09.008
[9]
Ntambirweki, J. (1998) The Evolution of Policy and Legislation on Wetlands in Uganda. Case Study Prep Tech Consult des Methodol to Rev Laws Institutions Relev to Wetl Switz. http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&q=%0A+%0A+Ntambirweki+%2C+John+.+1998.+The+evolution+of+policy+and+legislation+on+wetlands+in+Uganda+.+In+Designing+methodologies+to+review+laws+and+institutions+relevant+to+wetlands.+Gland%2C+Switzerland+%3A+Ramsar+.+Ntambirweki%2C+John.+1998.+The+evolution+of+policy+and+legislation+on+wetlands+in+Uganda.+In+Designing+methodolo-gies+to+review+laws+and+institutions+relevant+to+wetlands.+Gland%2C+Switzerland%3A+Ramsar.+
[10]
Mafabi, P. (2000) The Role of Wetland Policies in the Conservation of Waterbirds: The Case of Uganda. Ostrich, 71, 96-98. https://doi.org/10.1080/00306525.2000.9639880
[11]
Kansiime, F., Kateyo, E., Oryem-Origa, H. and Mucunguzi, P. (2007) Nutrient Status and Retention in Pristine and Disturbed Wetlands in Uganda: Management Implications. WetlandsEcologyandManagement, 15, 453-467. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-007-9054-6
[12]
Toor, M.D. (2021) Nutrients and Their Importance in Agriculture Crop Production: A Review. IndianJournalofPure&AppliedBiosciences, 9, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.18782/2582-2845.8527
[13]
Kundu, S., Kundu, B., Rana, N.K. and Mahato, S. (2024) Wetland Degradation and Its Impacts on Livelihoods and Sustainable Development Goals: An Overview. SustainableProductionandConsumption, 48, 419-434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2024.05.024
[14]
Lal, R. (2015) Restoring Soil Quality to Mitigate Soil Degradation. Sustainability, 7, 5875-5895. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7055875
[15]
Kayima, J.K., Mayo, A.W. and Nobert, J. (2018) Ecological Characteristics and Morphological Features of the Lubigi Wetland in Uganda. EnvironmentandEcologyResearch, 6, 218-228. https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2018.060402
[16]
Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Jiang, J., Zhang, J., Zhang, Z. and Zhang, M. (2022) Application of Soil Quality Index to Determine the Effects of Different Vegetation Types on Soil Quality in the Yellow River Delta Wetland. EcologicalIndicators, 141, Article ID: 109116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109116
[17]
Li, Y., Gong, J., Liu, J., Hou, W., Moroenyane, I., Liu, Y., et al. (2022) Effects of Different Land Use Types and Soil Depth on Soil Nutrients and Soil Bacterial Communities in a Karst Area, Southwest China. SoilSystems, 6, Article 20. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems6010020
[18]
Fetene, E.M. and Amera, M.Y. (2018) The Effects of Land Use Types and Soil Depth on Soil Properties of Agedit Watershed, Northwest Ethiopia. EthiopianJournalofScienceandTechnology, 11, 39-56. https://doi.org/10.4314/ejst.v11i1.4
[19]
Gong, J., Hou, W., Liu, J., Malik, K., Kong, X., Wang, L., et al. (2022) Effects of Different Land Use Types and Soil Depths on Soil Mineral Elements, Soil Enzyme Activity, and Fungal Community in Karst Area of Southwest China. InternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealth, 19, Article 3120. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19053120
[20]
Turyahabwe, N., Kakuru, W., Tweheyo, M. and Tumusiime, D.M. (2013) Contribution of Wetland Resources to Household Food Security in Uganda. Agriculture&FoodSecurity, 2, Article No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/2048-7010-2-5
[21]
Kumar, N., Kumar, A., Marwein, B.M., Verma, D.K., Jayabalan, I., Kumar, A., et al. (2021) Agricultural Activities Causing Water Pollution and Its Mitigation—A Review. International Journal of Modern Agriculture, 10, 590-609.
[22]
Zahoor, I. and Mushtaq, A. (2023) Water Pollution from Agricultural Activities: A Critical Global Review. International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, 23, 164-176.
[23]
Kayima, J.K. and Mayo, A.W. (2020) Nitrogen Removal Buffer Capacity of the Lubigi Wetland in Uganda. PhysicsandChemistryoftheEarth, PartsA/B/C, 117, Article ID: 102883. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pce.2020.102883
[24]
Opio, A., Jones, M.B., Kansiime, F. and Otiti, T. (2014) Growth and Development of Cyperus papyrus in a Tropical Wetland. Open Journal of Ecology, 4, 113-123.
[25]
FAO (2014) World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, Update 2015 (World Soil Resources Reports 106).
[26]
James Gideon, O. and Bernard, B. (2018) Effects of Human Wetland Encroachment on the Degradation of Lubigi Wetland System, Kampala City Uganda. EnvironmentandEcologyResearch, 6, 562-570. https://doi.org/10.13189/eer.2018.060606
[27]
Gee, G.W. and Bauder, J.W. (1986) Particle-Size Analysis. In: Klute, A., Ed., Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 1, Physical and Mineralogical Methods, ASA, SSSA, 383-411. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-31211-6_2
[28]
Whitney, M. (1911) The Use of Soils East of the Great Plains Region. Forgotten Books.
[29]
Jackson, M. (1973) Soil Chemical Analysis. Prentice Hall, 498.
[30]
Bray, R.H. and Kurtz, L.T. (1945) Determination of Total, Organic, and Available Forms of Phosphorus in Soils. SoilScience, 59, 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-194501000-00006
[31]
Nelson, D.W. and Sommers, L.E. (1982) Total Carbon, Organic Carbon, and Organic Matter. In: Page, A.L., Ed., Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 2—Chemical and Microbiological Properties, American Society of Agronomy, 539-579.
[32]
Hendershot, W., Lalande, H. and Duquette, M. (2007) Soil Reaction and Exchangeable Acidity. In: Carter, M.R. and Gregorich, E., Eds., SoilSamplingandMethodsofAnalysis, SecondEdition, CRC Press, 173-178. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420005271.ch16
[33]
Hendershot, W., Lalande, H. and Duquette, M. (2007) Ion Exchange and Exchangeable Cations. In: Carter, M.R. and Gregorich, E., Eds., SoilSamplingandMethodsofAnalysis, SecondEdition, CRC Press, 196-206. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420005271.ch18
[34]
Yan, F., Fu, Y., Paradelo, M., Zhang, F. and Arthur, E. (2023) Long-term Manure and Cropping Systems Effect on Soil Water Vapour Sorption Characteristics Is Controlled by Soil Texture. Geoderma, 436, Article ID: 116533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116533
[35]
Amsili, J.P., van Es, H.M. and Schindelbeck, R.R. (2021) Cropping System and Soil Texture Shape Soil Health Outcomes and Scoring Functions. SoilSecurity, 4, Article ID: 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soisec.2021.100012
[36]
Tesfahunegn, G.B. and Gebru, T.A. (2020) Variation in Soil Properties under Different Cropping and Other Land-Use Systems in Dura Catchment, Northern Ethiopia. PLOSONE, 15, e0222476. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0222476
[37]
Voundi Nkana, J.C. and Tonye, J. (2002) Assessment of Certain Soil Properties Related to Different Land-Use Systems in the Kaya Watershed of the Humid Forest Zone of Cameroon. LandDegradation&Development, 14, 57-67. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.519
[38]
Agoumé, V. and Birang, A.M. (2009) Impact of Land-Use Systems on Some Physical and Chemical Soil Properties of an Oxisol in the Humid Forest Zone of Southern Cameroon. Tropicultura, 27, 15-20.
[39]
Kyebogola, S., Burras, L.C., Miller, B.A., Semalulu, O., Yost, R.S., Tenywa, M.M., et al. (2020) Comparing Uganda's Indigenous Soil Classification System with World Reference Base and USDA Soil Taxonomy to Predict Soil Productivity. GeodermaRegional, 22, e00296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geodrs.2020.e00296
[40]
Coblinski, J.A., Giasson, É., Demattê, J.A.M., Dotto, A.C., Costa, J.J.F. and Vašát, R. (2020) Prediction of Soil Texture Classes through Different Wavelength Regions of Reflectance Spectroscopy at Various Soil Depths. CATENA, 189, Article ID: 104485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2020.104485
[41]
Li, X., Chang, S.X. and Salifu, K.F. (2014) Soil Texture and Layering Effects on Water and Salt Dynamics in the Presence of a Water Table: A Review. EnvironmentalReviews, 22, 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2013-0035
[42]
Ledo, A., Smith, P., Zerihun, A., Whitaker, J., Vicente‐Vicente, J.L., Qin, Z., et al. (2020) Changes in Soil Organic Carbon under Perennial Crops. GlobalChangeBiology, 26, 4158-4168. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.15120
[43]
Bai, Z., Caspari, T., Gonzalez, M.R., Batjes, N.H., Mäder, P., Bünemann, E.K., et al. (2018) Effects of Agricultural Management Practices on Soil Quality: A Review of Long-Term Experiments for Europe and China. Agriculture, Ecosystems&Environment, 265, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2018.05.028
[44]
Burle, M.L., Mielniczuk, J. and Focchi, S. (1997) Effect of Cropping Systems on Soil Chemical Characteristics, with Emphasis on Soil Acidification. PlantandSoil, 190, 309-316. https://doi.org/10.1023/a:1004266831343
[45]
Li, Q., Gu, F., Zhou, Y., Xu, T., Wang, L., Zuo, Q., et al. (2021) Changes in the Impacts of Topographic Factors, Soil Texture, and Cropping Systems on Topsoil Chemical Properties in the Mountainous Areas of the Subtropical Monsoon Region from 2007 to 2017: A Case Study in Hefeng, China. InternationalJournalofEnvironmentalResearchandPublicHealth, 18, Article 832. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020832
[46]
Steinmuller, H.E. and Chambers, L.G. (2019) Characterization of Coastal Wetland Soil Organic Matter: Implications for Wetland Submergence. ScienceoftheTotalEnvironment, 677, 648-659. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.405
[47]
McLatchey, G.P. and Reddy, K.R. (1998) Regulation of Organic Matter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in a Wetland Soil. JournalofEnvironmentalQuality, 27, 1268-1274. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq1998.00472425002700050036x
[48]
Daba, N.A., Li, D., Huang, J., Han, T., Zhang, L., Ali, S., et al. (2021) Long-Term Fertilization and Lime-Induced Soil pH Changes Affect Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Grain Yields in Acidic Soil under Wheat-Maize Rotation. Agronomy, 11, Article 2069. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11102069
[49]
Emiru, N. and Gebrekidan, H. (2013) Effect of Land Use Changes and Soil Depth on Soil Organic Matter, Total Nitrogen and Available Phosphorus Contents of Soils in Senbat Water-Shed, Western Ethiopia. ARPN Journal of Agricultural and Biological Science, 8, 206-212.
[50]
Lu, H., Li, K., Nkoh, J.N., Shi, Y., He, X., Hong, Z., et al. (2022) Effects of the Increases in Soil pH and pH Buffering Capacity Induced by Crop Residue Biochars on Available Cd Contents in Acidic Paddy Soils. Chemosphere, 301, Article ID: 134674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134674
[51]
Ng, J.F., Ahmed, O.H., Jalloh, M.B., Omar, L., Kwan, Y.M., Musah, A.A., et al. (2022) Soil Nutrient Retention and pH Buffering Capacity Are Enhanced by Calciprill and Sodium Silicate. Agronomy, 12, Article 219. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010219
[52]
Hoang, H.G., Thuy, B.T.P., Lin, C., Vo, D.N., Tran, H.T., Bahari, M.B., et al. (2022) The Nitrogen Cycle and Mitigation Strategies for Nitrogen Loss during Organic Waste Composting: A Review. Chemosphere, 300, Article ID: 134514. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134514
[53]
Mahmud, K., Panday, D., Mergoum, A. and Missaoui, A. (2021) Nitrogen Losses and Potential Mitigation Strategies for a Sustainable Agroecosystem. Sustainability, 13, Article 2400. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042400
[54]
Nyamaizi, S., Olupot, G., Tumuhe, C.L., Basamba, T.A. and Musinguzi, J. (2018) Impact of Toposequence and Type of Cropping System on Soil Properties in Mid-Western Uganda. International Journal of Advanced Technology and Innovative Research, 10, 808-815. https://www.ijatir.org
[55]
Johan, P.D., Ahmed, O.H., Omar, L. and Hasbullah, N.A. (2021) Phosphorus Transformation in Soils Following Co-Application of Charcoal and Wood Ash. Agronomy, 11, Article 2010. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11102010
[56]
Gérard, F. (2016) Clay Minerals, Iron/Aluminum Oxides, and Their Contribution to Phosphate Sorption in Soils—A Myth Revisited. Geoderma, 262, 213-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.08.036
[57]
Atalay, A. (2001) Variation in Phosphorus Sorption with Soil Particle Size. SoilandSedimentContamination: AnInternationalJournal, 10, 317-335. https://doi.org/10.1080/20015891109284
[58]
Nweke, I.A. and Nnabude, P.C. (2014) Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen and Available Phosphorous Concentration in Aggregate Fractions of Four Soils under Two Land Use Systems. International Journal of Applied Research, 2, 273-288.
[59]
O’ Flynn, C.J., Fenton, O., Wall, D., Brennan, R.B., McLaughlin, M.J. and Healy, M.G. (2017) Influence of Soil Phosphorus Status, Texture, pH and Metal Content on the Efficacy of Amendments to Pig Slurry in Reducing Phosphorus Losses. SoilUseandManagement, 34, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/sum.12391
[60]
Nyamaizi, S., Messiga, A.J., Cade-Menun, B., Cornelis, J.-T. and Smukler, S.M. (2025) Environmental Phosphorus Risk Classes for Silage Corn in the Fraser Valley, Canada. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 381, Article ID: 109423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2024.109423
[61]
Bedel, L., Poszwa, A., van der Heijden, G., Legout, A., Aquilina, L. and Ranger, J. (2016) Unexpected Calcium Sources in Deep Soil Layers in Low-Fertility Forest Soils Identified by Strontium Isotopes (Lorraine Plateau, Eastern France). Geoderma, 264, 103-116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2015.09.020
[62]
Dijkstra, F.A. and Smits, M.M. (2002) Tree Species Effects on Calcium Cycling: The Role of Calcium Uptake in Deep Soils. Ecosystems, 5, 385-398. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-001-0082-4
