Status and Properties of Soils under Some Woody Species of Degraded Glacis in Northern Burkina Faso

Abstract

Land degradation is a threat to biodiversity and has negative impacts on agricultural communities by aggravating food insecurity. The objective of this study was to examine the responses of native woody species and soil variables to different levels of glacis degradation in the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. Field investigations were performed according to the degradation gradient outlined in the Braun-Blanquet method. Soil samples were collected and analyzed in the laboratory. The results indicate that the diversity and diametric structure of woody species are functions of the glacis degradation stage. A total of eight (08) woody species were recorded on the glacis (7 species in non-degraded glacis, 7 species in moderately-degraded glacis and only 1 species in degraded glacis). Acacia raddiana is the only local woody species present in all three glacis degradation stages. It is recommended to rehabilitate degraded glacis in the Sahel in response to desertification. The high levels of sand, nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) characterize the non-degraded and moderately-degraded glacis, whereas the high levels of silt, clay, bulk density, pH-H20 and pH-Kcl indicate degraded glacis. This study can inform the future rehabilitation and management of Sahelian glacis.