Burrowing Activity of Rodents Alter Soil Properties: A Case Study on the Short Tailed Mole Rat (Nesokia indica) in Pothwar Plateau, Punjab, Pakistan
Burrowing Activity of Rodents Alter Soil Properties: A Case Study on the Short Tailed Mole Rat (Nesokia indica) in Pothwar Plateau, Punjab, Pakistan
Abul Hassan Faiz*, Fakhar-i-Abbas and Lariab Zahra Faiz
ABSTRACT
The present study was conducted to investigate how (Nesokia indica) activities impact on soil fertility. The survey was conducted from January to December, 2016 by applying line transect technique in eight types of soil (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, sandy clay loam, loam, clay loam, silt loam, silty clay loam) to determine six soil properties (plant biomass, saturation, electrical conductivity, pH, organic matter, phosphorus and potassium) in Pothwar Plateau (250 km long and 100 km wide). We compared 216 soil samples (mound soil and undisturbed soil), to collect data on percentage water saturation, electrical conductivity (E/C), pH, organic matter content, and phosphorus and potassium contents. We found significant differences (mound soil and undisturbed soil) in % water saturation, electrical conductivity (E/C), pH, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium and biomass in all types of soil. A Chi-Square Q-Q plot was applied to test for the normality of data, and a one-way ANOVA without interaction was used for the different soil types (mound and undisturbed soil) to examine the effects of rat burrowing activity on, plant biomass, saturation, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, potassium and phosphorous concentration. These significant differences in soil composition have long-term effects on ecosystem sustainability and productivity of vegetation.
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April 2018
Vol. 50, Iss. 2, Pages 401-797
