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| Publication Title: | Impact of Recently Introduced Large Herbivores on Soil Propoerties of Coastal Dune Soils of the "Westhoek" Nature Reserve, Belgium |
| Authors: |
Carol Ampe, University of Gent Moffatt K. Ngugi, Colorado State University Roger langohr, University of Gent |
| Publication Abstract: | The impact on soil of recently introduced ungulates, i.e. Shetland ponies, Scottish Highlanders (cattle) and Konik horses, is studied in the Westhoek Nature Reserve. To determine their impacts, soil physical and chemical aspects are considered. There is a significant change in bulk density for samples between 0 to 5 cm depth between animal traffic paths and control areas (P<0.05). The effects on bulk density are greater in wet than in dry sites. Path morphology differs according to moisture condition: in wet sites paths develop a hollowness, on dry sloping paths regressive erosion may occur. Differences in cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH, the organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), between dung and control sites are not apparent according to the experimental design. Soil samples under the cattle and horse excrements between 0 to 5 cm depth show a significant difference for exchangeable K+ and K+-saturation. Inspections of dung heaps reveal the presence of a large number of associated dung fauna including Geotrupus sp.. This species is capable of digging galleries and constructing brood chambers hence influencing the physical and chemical properties of the soil. |
| Publication File: | 15_pub.pdf |
| Full Citation: | Ampe, C., M. Ngugi, and R. langohr. 2002. Impact of Recently Introduced Large Herbivores on Soil Propoerties of Coastal Dune Soils of the "Westhoek" Nature Reserve, Belgium. Littoral , The Changing Coast. ISBN 972-8:433-438. |