Abstract:
Lantana camara
L. (Verbenaceae) is an invasive shrub of global significance in the conservation of
biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. The invasive species has profound impact on soil ecosystems
due to its allelopathic and litter accumulation effect.
This study tested for its impact on soil properties
in Nairobi National Park (NNP) by randomly sampli
ng soil from the invaded and un-invaded sites in
three habitats namely forest, riverine and shrub-gr
assland using the Modified Whittaker plot design. Six
plots were laid in the forest, four in the riverine and eight in the shrub-grassland. Ten samples were
collected at invaded and ten at un-invaded sites per habitat totaling to sixty which were obtained and
analysed. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) resu
lts indicated significant differences in the values
of soil pH, the concentrations of magnesium, calcium and potassium between the invaded and un-
invaded sites and their levels were higher in in
vaded sites. Also magnesi
um, calcium and potassium
varied significantly across the forest, riverine
and shrub-grassland. These results suggest that
L.
camara
can improve the nutrient levels of soil and therefore influence nutrient cycling resulting to
making the ground better for its growth and this might explain the capacity of the invasive species to
outcompete the native ones.
