Opuntia stricta – Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education https://www.jriiejournal.com Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:58:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.jriiejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/cropped-JRIIE-LOGO-1-32x32.jpg Opuntia stricta – Journal of Research Innovation and Implications in Education https://www.jriiejournal.com 32 32 194867206 The Correlation between Opuntia stricta Distribution and Soil Chemical Composition in Tsavo East National Park https://www.jriiejournal.com/the-correlation-between-opuntia-stricta-distribution-and-soil-chemical-composition-in-tsavo-east-national-park/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-correlation-between-opuntia-stricta-distribution-and-soil-chemical-composition-in-tsavo-east-national-park Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:55:25 +0000 https://jriiejournal.com/?p=4738 Read More Read More

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Elizabeth Kambua Titus – Kenyatta University
Francis Kariuki – Kenyatta University
Shadrack Ngene – Kenya Wildlife Service
Email: lzbthkambua@gmail.com
Abstract: Biological invasions have been observed in Kenya some of which are deemed to have significant socio-economic repercussions on affected communities altering the composition and structure of ecosystems. Data from the East African region indicates that Kenya has been invaded by 34 distinct species with notable examples including Opuntia stricta (Haw) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This study aimed to examine the relationship between the distribution of the invasive species O. stricta and the soil chemical composition in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya (TENP). The study area was divided into twelve 2km-long transects with ten 5m by 5m quadrats systematically established along each transect. Data on O. stricta coverage and soil chemical concentration were collected in each quadrat. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted on O. stricta coverage revealing significant differences in its distribution across the sampled transects. Correlation analysis between O. stricta and soil chemical composition was performed. Among the soil chemical components examined, phosphates exhibited a negative correlation with O. stricta cover at a significance level of p=0.002 for α=5%. Conversely, sodium content and O. stricta cover showed a positive correlation at a significance level of P=0.039 for α=5%. These findings are critical for guiding strategies aimed at controlling the rapid spread of O. stricta in Tsavo East National Park and similar ecosystems.

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The Inter-specific Associations between O. stricta with Woody Plant Species and Elephant Distribution in Tsavo East National Park https://www.jriiejournal.com/the-inter-specific-associations-between-o-stricta-with-woody-plant-species-and-elephant-distribution-in-tsavo-east-national-park/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-inter-specific-associations-between-o-stricta-with-woody-plant-species-and-elephant-distribution-in-tsavo-east-national-park Mon, 03 Jan 2022 08:17:29 +0000 https://jriiejournal.com/?p=1842 Read More Read More

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Elizabeth Kambua Titus – Kenyatta University, Kenya
Francis Kariuki – Kenyatta University, Kenya
Dr. Shadrack Ngene – Kenya Wildlife Service
Corresponding Author : Email: lzbthkambua@gmail.com

Abstract: Kenya has experienced biological invasions some of which are considered to have significant consequences on the socio-economic status of affected communities. At the ecosystem level, they change community structure and composition. Available data on invasive species in the East African region shows that 34 different species of invasive plants have invaded Kenya. Notable examples of invasive species include Opuntia stricta (Haw) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes). This research was aimed at assessing the impact of the invasive O. stricta on other plant species and wildlife in the Tsavo East National Park, Kenya (TENP). The study area was divided into twelve transects which was 2km long and ten quadrats each 5m by 5m established systematically along each transect. Data on Opuntia stricta coverage, woody plants, dung of elephant to denote their presence was collected in each quadrat. ANOVA was conducted on Opuntia stricta coverage and confirmed that its distribution differed significantly per the sampled transects. Correlation between Opuntia stricta and elephant distribution and presence of woody plants was carried out. A positive correlation between the presence of elephants and O. stricta percentage cover was significant with r=0.37 and P=0.000 at α=5%. O. stricta cover and woody plant species had an insignificant positive correlation with P =0.177 at   5% . Findings of this study are crucial in any strategies adopted to formulate a management strategy for O.stricta in the TENP and similar ecosystems.

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