High soil acidity under native shrub encroachment in the Cobar Pediplain, south-eastern Australia
M. Tighe A C , N. Reid A , B. R. Wilson A and M. T. McHenry B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
B School of Land and Food, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tas. 7005, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: mtighe2@une.edu.au
The Rangeland Journal 40(5) 451-462 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ17124
Submitted: 4 December 2017 Accepted: 27 August 2018 Published: 4 October 2018
Abstract
This study investigated the chemical characteristics of shallow (0–30 cm) soil profiles under shrubs in areas of dense encroachment and compared them with shallow soil profiles under nearby large trees. Consistent patterns of high soil acidity were found under shrubs, as well as lower litter alkalinity, lower relative concentrations of calcium (Ca2+), lower effective cation exchange capacity, and higher aluminium (Al3+) and sodium (Na+) in the soil profile compared with under trees. Soil pH (CaCl2) was strongly correlated with the Ca content of surface litter. These findings suggest that shrubs (which at most sites included the shrub form of tree species) cycle alkalinity differently from large and mature trees, resulting in high acidity in the shallow soil profile acidity, and possible loss of alkalinity via surface movement of material from areas of dense encroachment.
Additional keywords: landscape ecology, leaf litter, root–soil interactions, semi-arid shrublands.
References
Anderson, D. L., and Henderson, L. J. (1986). Sealed chamber digestion for plant nutrient analysis. Agronomy Journal 78, 937–938.| Sealed chamber digestion for plant nutrient analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Andersson, K. O., Tighe, M., Guppy, C., Milham, P. J., and McLaren, T. (2015). Incremental acidification reveals phosphorus release dynamics in alkaline vertic soils. Geoderma 259–260, 35–44.
| Incremental acidification reveals phosphorus release dynamics in alkaline vertic soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Archer, S., and Stokes, C. (2000). Stress, disturbance and change in rangeland ecosystems. In: ‘Rangeland Desertification’. Vol. 19. (Eds O. Arnalds and S. Archer.) pp. 17–38. (Kluwer Academic Publishers: London.)
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (2017). Climate Data Online. Available at: www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/ (accessed 30 November 2017).
Booth, C. A., Sanchez-Bayo, F., and King, G. W. (1996). Establishment of woody weeds in western New South Wales. 2. Growth and competitive potential. The Rangeland Journal 18, 80–98.
| Establishment of woody weeds in western New South Wales. 2. Growth and competitive potential.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Butler, B. E. (1956). Parna – an aeolian clay. Australian Journal of Science 18, 145–151.
Castelli, L. M., and Lazzari, M. A. (2002). Impact of fire on soil nutrients in central semiarid Argentina. Arid Land Research and Management 16, 349–364.
| Impact of fire on soil nutrients in central semiarid Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Cattle, S. R., and Smith, C. M. S. (2018). Fabric of soil derived from parna and the riddle of transported pellets. Soil Research 56, 219–234.
| Fabric of soil derived from parna and the riddle of transported pellets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Chapin, F. S., III. (1988). Ecological aspects of plant mineral nutrition. In: ‘Advances in Plant Nutrition’. Vol. 3. (Eds B. Tinker and A. Lauchli.) pp. 161–191. (Praeger Publishers: New York.)
Crawley, M. J. (2013). ‘The R Book.’ 2nd edn. (John Wiley and Sons Ltd: Chichester, UK.)
Cunningham, G. M., Mulham, W. E., Milthorpe, P. L., and Leigh, J. H. (2011). ‘Plants of Western New South Wales.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Davenport, D. W., Wilcox, B. P., and Breshears, D. D. (1996). Soil morphology of canopy and intercanopy sites in a Pinon–Juniper Woodland. Soil Science Society of America Journal 60, 1881–1887.
| Soil morphology of canopy and intercanopy sites in a Pinon–Juniper Woodland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dijkstra, F. A., Geibe, C., Holmstrom, S., Lundstrom, U. S., and Van Breeman, N. (2001). The effect of organic acids on base cation leaching from the forest floor under six North American tree species. European Journal of Soil Science 52, 205–214.
| The effect of organic acids on base cation leaching from the forest floor under six North American tree species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eldridge, D. J., and Rath, D. (2002). Hip holes: kangaroo (Macropus spp.) resting sites modify the physical and chemical environment of woodland soils. Austral Ecology 27, 527–536.
| Hip holes: kangaroo (Macropus spp.) resting sites modify the physical and chemical environment of woodland soils.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eldridge, D. J., Bowker, M. A., Maestre, F. T., Roger, E., Reynolds, J. F., and Whitford, W. G. (2011). Impacts of shrub encroachment on ecosystem structure and functioning: towards a global synthesis. Ecology Letters 14, 709–722.
| Impacts of shrub encroachment on ecosystem structure and functioning: towards a global synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eldridge, D. J., Soliveres, S., Bowker, M. A., and Val, J. (2013). Grazing dampens the positive effects of shrub encroachment on ecosystem function in a semi-arid woodland. Journal of Applied Ecology 50, 1028–1038.
| Grazing dampens the positive effects of shrub encroachment on ecosystem function in a semi-arid woodland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eldridge, D. J., Poore, A. G. B., Ruiz-Colmenero, M., Letnic, M., and Soliveres, S. (2016). Ecosystem structure, function, and composition in rangelands are negatively affected by livestock grazing. Ecological Applications 26, 1273–1283.
| Ecosystem structure, function, and composition in rangelands are negatively affected by livestock grazing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ewing, S. A., Southard, R. J., Macalady, J. L., Hartshorn, A. S., and Johnson, M. J. (2007). Soil microbial fingerprints, carbon, and nitrogen in a Mojave desert Creosote-Bush ecosystem. Soil Science Society of America Journal 71, 469–475.
| Soil microbial fingerprints, carbon, and nitrogen in a Mojave desert Creosote-Bush ecosystem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Farías, F., Orlando, J., Bravo, L., Guevara, R., and Caru, M. (2009). Comparison of soil bacterial communities associated with actinorhizal, non-actinorhizal plants and the interspaces in the sclerophyllous matorral from Central Chile in two different seasons. Journal of Arid Environments 73, 1117–1124.
| Comparison of soil bacterial communities associated with actinorhizal, non-actinorhizal plants and the interspaces in the sclerophyllous matorral from Central Chile in two different seasons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Garcia, C., Roldan, A., and Hernandez, T. (2005). Ability of different plant species to promote microbiological processes in semiarid soil. Geoderma 124, 193–202.
| Ability of different plant species to promote microbiological processes in semiarid soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gibbons, P., Briggs, S. V., Ayers, D., Seddon, J., Doyle, S., Cosier, P., McElhinny, C., Pelly, V., and Roberts, K. (2009). An operational method to assess impacts of land clearing on terrestrial biodiversity. Ecological Indicators 9, 26–40.
| An operational method to assess impacts of land clearing on terrestrial biodiversity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gonzalez-Polo, M., and Austin, A. T. (2009). Spatial heterogeneity provides organic matter refuges for soil microbial activity in the Patagonian steppe, Argentina. Soil Biology & Biochemistry 41, 1348–1351.
| Spatial heterogeneity provides organic matter refuges for soil microbial activity in the Patagonian steppe, Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Good, M., Schultz, N. L., Tighe, M., Reid, N., and Briggs, S. V. (2013). Herbaceous vegetation response to grazing exclusion in patches and inter-patches in semi-arid pasture and woody encroachment. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 179, 125–132.
| Herbaceous vegetation response to grazing exclusion in patches and inter-patches in semi-arid pasture and woody encroachment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gordon, C. E., Eldridge, D. J., Ripple, W. J., Crowther, M. S., Moore, B. D., and Letnic, M. (2017). Shrub encroachment is linked to extirpation of an apex predator. Journal of Animal Ecology 86, 147–157.
| Shrub encroachment is linked to extirpation of an apex predator.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Graham, S., Wilson, B. R., Reid, N., and Jones, H. (2004). Scattered paddock trees, litter chemistry, and surface soil properties in pastures of the New England Tablelands, New South Wales. Australian Journal of Soil Research 42, 905–912.
| Scattered paddock trees, litter chemistry, and surface soil properties in pastures of the New England Tablelands, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Graz, F. P. (2008). The woody weed encroachment puzzle: gathering pieces. Ecohydrology 1, 340–348.
| The woody weed encroachment puzzle: gathering pieces.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Harrington, G. N., Oxley, R. E., and Tongway, D. J. (1979). The effects of European settlement and domestic livestock on the biological system in Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) lands. Australian Rangeland Journal 1, 271–279.
| The effects of European settlement and domestic livestock on the biological system in Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) lands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hinsinger, P., Plassard, C., Tang, C., and Jaillard, B. (2003). Origins of root-mediated changes in the rhizosphere and their responses to environmental constraints: a review. Plant and Soil 248, 43–59.
| Origins of root-mediated changes in the rhizosphere and their responses to environmental constraints: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Isbell, R. F. (1996). ‘The Australian Soil Classification.’ (CSIRO: Melbourne.)
IUSS Working Group WRB (2015). World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps. World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. FAO, Rome.
Jackson, R. B., Mooney, H. A., and Schulze, E. D. (1997). A global budget for fine root biomass, surface area, and nutrient contents. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 94, 7362–7366.
| A global budget for fine root biomass, surface area, and nutrient contents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lockwood, P., Wilson, B. R., Daniel, H., and Jones, M. (2003). Soil acidification and natural resource management: directions for the future. University of New England, Armidale, Australia.
Lu, T., Ma, K. M., Zhang, W. H., and Fu, B. J. (2006). Differential responses of shrubs and herbs present at the Upper Minjiang River basin (Tibetan Plateau) to several soil variables. Journal of Arid Environments 67, 373–390.
| Differential responses of shrubs and herbs present at the Upper Minjiang River basin (Tibetan Plateau) to several soil variables.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ludwig, J. A., Tongway, D. J., and Marsden, S. G. (1999). Stripes, strands or stipples: modelling the influence of three landscape banding patterns on resource capture and productivity in semi-arid woodlands, Australia. Catena 37, 257–273.
| Stripes, strands or stipples: modelling the influence of three landscape banding patterns on resource capture and productivity in semi-arid woodlands, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McHenry, M. T., Wilson, B. R., Lemon, J. M., Donnelly, D. E., and Growns, I. G. (2006). Soil and vegetation response to thinning White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) on the North Western slopes of New South Wales, Australia. Plant and Soil 285, 245–255.
| Soil and vegetation response to thinning White Cypress Pine (Callitris glaucophylla) on the North Western slopes of New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McHenry, M. T., Wilson, B. R., Lockwood, P. V., Guppy, C. N., Sindel, B. M., Tighe, M. K., Growns, I. O., and Lemon, J. M. (2009). The impact of individual Callitris glaucophylla (white cypress pine) trees on agricultural soils and pastures of the north-western slopes of NSW, Australia. The Rangeland Journal 31, 321–328.
| The impact of individual Callitris glaucophylla (white cypress pine) trees on agricultural soils and pastures of the north-western slopes of NSW, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Michaelides, K., Lister, D., Wainwright, J., and Parsons, A. J. (2009). Vegetation controls on small-scale runoff and erosion dynamics in a degrading dryland environment. Hydrological Processes 23, 1617–1630.
| Vegetation controls on small-scale runoff and erosion dynamics in a degrading dryland environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Muñoz-Robles, C. A., Reid, N. C., Tighe, M., Briggs, S. V., and Wilson, B. (2011a). Soil hydrological and erosional responses in areas of woody encroachment, pasture and woodland in semi-arid Australia. Journal of Arid Environments 75, 936–945.
| Soil hydrological and erosional responses in areas of woody encroachment, pasture and woodland in semi-arid Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Muñoz-Robles, C. A., Reid, N. C., Tighe, M., Briggs, S. V., and Wilson, B. (2011b). Soil hydrological and erosional responses in patches and inter-patches in vegetation states in semi-arid Australia. Geoderma 160, 524–534.
| Soil hydrological and erosional responses in patches and inter-patches in vegetation states in semi-arid Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Noble, J. C. (1997). ‘The delicate and noxious scrub – CSIRO studies on native tree and shrub proliferation in the semi-arid woodlands of eastern Australia.’ (CSIRO – Wildlife and Ecology: Canberra.)
Noble, A. D., and Randall, P. J. (1999a). Alkalinity effects of different tree litters incubated in an acid soil of N.S.W., Australia. Agroforestry Systems 46, 147–160.
| Alkalinity effects of different tree litters incubated in an acid soil of N.S.W., Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Noble, A. D., and Randall, P. J. (1999b). The impact of trees and fodder shrubs on soil acidification. Rural Industries Research and Development Organisation, Canberra.
Noble, A. D., Zenneck, I., and Randall, P. J. (1996). Leaf litter ash alkalinity and neutralisation of soil acidity. Plant and Soil 179, 293–302.
| Leaf litter ash alkalinity and neutralisation of soil acidity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nye, P. H. (1986). Acid–base changes in the rhizosphere. In: ‘Advances in Plant Nutrition’. Vol. 2. (Eds B. Tinker and A. Lauchli.) (Praeger Publishers: New York.)
R Development Core Team (2009). ‘R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna.)
Rayment, G. E., and Higginson, F. R. (1992). ‘Australian Laboratory Handbook of Soil and Water Chemical Methods.’ (Inkata Press: Melbourne.)
Slattery, W. J., Ridley, A. M., and Windsor, S. M. (1991). Ash alkalinity of animal and plant products. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 31, 321–324.
| Ash alkalinity of animal and plant products.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, R., Tighe, M., Reid, N., Briggs, S. V., and Wilson, B. (2013). Effects of grazing, trenching and surface soil disturbance on ground cover in woody encroachment on the Cobar Pediplain, south-eastern Australia. Journal of Arid Environments 96, 80–86.
| Effects of grazing, trenching and surface soil disturbance on ground cover in woody encroachment on the Cobar Pediplain, south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tang, C., and Rengel, Z. (2003). Role of plant cation/anion uptake ratio in soil acidification. In: ‘Handbook of Soil Acidity’. (Ed. Z. Rengel.) pp. 57–81. (Marcel Dekker: New York.)
Thompson, W. A., and Eldridge, D. J. (2005). White cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla): a review of its roles in landscape and ecological processes in eastern Australia. Australian Journal of Botany 53, 555–570.
| White cypress pine (Callitris glaucophylla): a review of its roles in landscape and ecological processes in eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tighe, M., Reid, N., Wilson, B., and Briggs, S. V. (2009). Invasive native scrub and soil condition in semi-arid south-eastern Australia. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 132, 212–222.
| Invasive native scrub and soil condition in semi-arid south-eastern Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tighe, M., Muñoz-Robles, C. A., Reid, N. C., Wilson, B., and Briggs, S. V. (2012). Hydrological thresholds of soil surface properties identified using conditional inference tree analysis. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 37, 620–632.
| Hydrological thresholds of soil surface properties identified using conditional inference tree analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tongway, D. J., and Ludwig, J. A. (1994). Small-scale resource heterogeneity in semi-arid landscapes. Pacific Conservation Biology 1, 201–208.
| Small-scale resource heterogeneity in semi-arid landscapes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tunstall, B. R., and Webb, A. A. (1981). Effects of land use on the solodic soils of the Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) lands. Australian Rangeland Journal 3, 5–11.
| Effects of land use on the solodic soils of the Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) lands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tunstall, B. R., Torsell, B. W. R., Moore, R. M., Robertson, J. A., and Goodwin, W. F. (1981). Vegetation change in a Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) woodland. Effects of tree killing and domestic stock. Australian Rangeland Journal 3, 123–132.
| Vegetation change in a Poplar Box (Eucalyptus populnea) woodland. Effects of tree killing and domestic stock.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Westoby, M., Walker, B., and Noy-Meir, I. (1989). Opportunistic management for rangelands not at equilibrium. Journal of Range Management 42, 266–274.
| Opportunistic management for rangelands not at equilibrium.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Whitford, W. G., Anderson, J., and Rice, P. M. (1997). Stemflow contribution to the ‘fertile island’ effect in creosotebush Larrea tridentata. Journal of Arid Environments 35, 451–457.
| Stemflow contribution to the ‘fertile island’ effect in creosotebush Larrea tridentata.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, A. D., Tongway, D. J., and Tupper, G. J. (1988). Factors contributing to differences in forage yield in the semi-arid woodlands. Australian Rangeland Journal 10, 13–17.
| Factors contributing to differences in forage yield in the semi-arid woodlands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wilson, B. R., Growns, I. G., and Lemon, J. M. (2007). Scattered native trees and soil patterns in grazing land on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Australian Journal of Soil Research 45, 199–205.
| Scattered native trees and soil patterns in grazing land on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
