Invasion of Prosopis Juliflora in Salabani Location Kenya is Soil a Factor

Abstract

Invasive species occur outside their adaptive and dispersal range. They are tolerant to climatic and edaphic variations and have adapted to harsh conditions of the dryland by their deep rooting system. They are a threat to functioning and structure of ecosystems worldwide. Prosopis is a leguminous plant that fixes nitrogen through symbiosis hence can directly affect soil nitrogen dynamics. This study sot to examine the relationship between spread of Prosopis juliflora and soil characteristics in Salabani Location. The study area was stratified into areas of high density, low density and zero density of P. Juliflora invasion. Soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, Cation exchange capacity and soil nutrients. Soil analysis established that soil nutrients increased under high density P. juliflora stands than where there was no P. Juliflora. The plant increased soil nutrients through nitrogen fixing and lowered the pH which might have contributed to invasive growth of the plant. Soils under high P. juliflora density had seventeen times total nitrogen content than soils without P. juliflora and had more than four times nitrogen than soils under low P. juliflora density.