IMPACT OF LANTANA CAMARA L. ON HERBACEOUS SPECIES DIVERSITY AND SOIL CHARACTERISTICS IN BABILE DISTRICT, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of Lantana camara invasion on herbaceous species diversity and soil physio-chemical properties in Babile District, Eastern Ethiopia. To collect the vegetation data, 1mx1m plots were laid down in each 60 selected lantana individuals under and outside the cover in four directions. From each plot, a soil sample was taken from 0-15cm depth after removing litter from the soil surface for Soil physiochemical analysis. Three herbaceous species (Panicum coloratum, Chloris gayana, and Senna holosericea) that were highly affected by L.camara invasion in the study area were selected to examine the allelopathic impact. The germination test was carried out in sterile Petri dishes by treating the selected seeds with 10%, 25%, 50%, and 75 % concentration of L.camara aqueous extracts compared to the control group only with distilled water. Germination percentage, radicle and plumule elongation of receptor species were measured in the laboratory. There was a significant difference in species richness, diversity, and evenness of herbaceous species (P<0.05) between under and outside the L.camara cover. Higher species richness (47), species diversity (H'=1.7253), and evenness (E=1.1305) were observed at outside the lantana cover area. Soil texture had did’t show a significance difference between under and outside lantana cover and sampling locations. But there was soil texture difference between sampling locations. Soil samples collected under the L.camara cover were high in Soil PH, OM, Total N, and Organic C (p<0.05) when compared to the ajduasent outside lantana cover except for available P. All tested soil characteristics did not show a significant difference between locations(ErerGotaa, Ifaa and Tulla). Allelochemical of lantana had shown an inhibitory effect on all tested herbaceous species. Germination percentage, radicle and plumule elongation of the tested plants decreased with increasing lantana extract concentrations. Thus, the current study concluded that L. camara invasion has highly affected herbaceous species diversity and alters soil physiochemical properties of the area. So this study confirming its invasiveness and its negative impact on biodiversityappeal, proper control and management actions to be undertaken by government and different stakeholders