Soil changes associated with forest/savanna boundary

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Periodical article

Title:	Soil changes associated with forest/savanna boundary
Authors:	Adejuwon, J.O. Ekanade, O.
Year:	1984
Periodical:	The Nigerian Geographical Journal
Volume:	27
Issue:	1-2
Pages:	44-50
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	savannas forestry
Abstract:	In Nigeria, savanna occupies the relatively dry northern parts while forest is found in the more humid south. While the regional boundary between the two vegetation zones is primarily climatic, at the topographical i.e. local level, the forest/savanna boundary is best described as an ecotone consisting of a mosaic in which units of forest and savanna are mixed. At the same time, it has been noted that the actual boundaries between one unit of savanna and the adjacent unit of forest are invariably very sharp. The author examines the local boundary between forest and savanna for an extensive savanna patch located in Oyo State, Nigeria, and concludes that it corresponds to significant changes in soil characteristics. The initiation and expansion of the savanna patches within forest is due to intensive human activities. Subsequently, because of the differences in geomorphological and ecological processes under forest and savanna, the initial soil differences become accentuated to the extent that significant differences between savanna patches and surrounding forest become discernible. Bibliogr.