ABSTRACT
The effects of early and late on Falgore Game Reserve were studied for two seasons from December 2008 to August 2009. The Reserve lies in the Guinea zone of Kano state. Three plots adjacent to each other were selected and subjected to three different burning .
Composite soil samples were collected at 0-15 Cm depth and analyzed for particle size distribution, percentage available Water, soil pH, percentage Carbon, percentage Nitrogen, Phosphorus and the cations, Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium, and Potassium. Plant species composition and abundance were determined by the quadrat method.
From the result, species diversity index and evenness were calculated. The data collected were analyzed by SAS statistical software to test for significant differences at 5% level of significance. Where significant differences occur Least Significant Difference (LSD) was used to separate the means.
Evaluation of obtained data on the effects of burning on the soil indicated that both early and late burning led to significant increases in soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Na, K, Ca, and Mg likewise produce increases. The increase was probably due to rapid mineralization of organic matter.
INTRODUCTION
Fire is a natural phenomenon that plays a major role in shaping our environment and maintaining biodiversity worldwide (Shlisky et al., 2007).
Fire (along with insects and microorganisms ) is responsible for the decomposition of dead organic matter and the recycling of nutrients. Without fire, plant debris can accumulate and nutrients are tied up in dead vegetation (Turshak, 2010).
It often determines the distribution of habitats, carbon and nutrient fluxes, and the water retention properties of soils. It is an important factor in many of the world’s grasslands especially in semi-arid regions where burning, annually or every few years is a well-established practice. (Duffy et al., 1974).
Fire resulting from natural phenomena (e.g. lightning and volcanic eruption) probably played its part in molding the earth’s vegetation and animal life long before the advent of man.
Fire has now become an integral part of the environment in many areas, contributing to the evolution and maintenance of plant communities (Raison, 1979).
It is used as a tool in the management of forests and grasslands in a number of tropical forests and temperate climates. Farmers in various tropical countries use fire in one way or another in their agricultural practices (Ewusie, 1980).
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