Summary
The litter-bag technique was used to estimate decomposition rates of standing-dead grass and grass litter in Nairobi National Park. Decomposition was extremely slow. After almost 2 years standing-dead and litter had lost 40% and 50% of dry weight, respectively (equivalent to 45% and 65% of ash-free dry weight, respectively). Ash concentration (mainly silica) was exceptionally high, reaching 40% in the litter within 9 months. There was no net loss of nitrogen from the bags during the study. Weight loss was not statistically correlated with rainfall received between sampling dates. The pattern of decomposition, rates of decomposition in other grasslands and the implications of the results for park management are discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abouguendia ZM, Whitman WC (1979) Disappearance of dead plant material in a mixed grass prairie. Oecologia (Berlin) 42:23–29
Allen S, Grimshaw M, Parkinson J, Quarmby C (1975) Chemical Analysis of Ecological materials. Blackwell, Oxford
Anderson JM, Coe MJ (1974) Decomposition of elephant dung in an arid tropical environment. Oecologia (Berlin) 14:111–125
Bagine RKN (1982) The role of termites in litter decomposition and soil translocation with special reference to Odontotermes in arid lands of northern Kenya. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Nairobi
Bocock KL, Gilbert OJW (1957) The disappearance of leaf litter under different woodland conditions. Plant Soil 9:179–185
Christie EK (1979) Ecosystem processes in semiarid grasslands. II Litter production, decomposition and nutrient dynamics. Aust J Agric Res 30:29–42
Deshmukh IK (1974) Primary production and leaf litter breakdown in a sand dune succession. Unpublished PhD thesis, University of Dundee
Deshmukh IK (1985) Introduction to Tropical Ecology. Wiley, Chichester (in press)
Dougall HW, Drysdale VM, Glover FE (1964) The chemical composition of Kenya browse and pasture herbage. E Afr Wildl J 2:86–121
Keiyoro PPN (1982) The effect of burning on grazing resources in Nairobi National Park. Unpublished MSc thesis, University of Nairobi
Koelling MR, Kucera CL (1965) Dry matter losses and mineral leaching in bluestem standing crop and litter. Ecol 46:529–532
Kucera CL, Dahlman RC, Koelling Mr (1967) Total net productivity on an energy basis for tallgrass prairie. Ecol 48:536–541
Morris JW, Bezidenhout JJ, Furniss Pr (1982) Litter decomposition. In: Huntley BJ, Walker BH (eds) Ecology of Tropical Savannas. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg, New York p 535–553
Ohiagu CE, Wood TG (1979) Grass production and decomposition in Southern Guinea Savanna, Nigeria. Oecologia (Berlin) 40:155–165
Stanley Price MR (1977) The estimation of food intake and its seasonal variation, in the hartebeest. East Afr Wildl J 15:107–124
Swift MJ, Heal OW, Anderson JM (1979) Decomposition in Terrestrial Ecosystems. Blackwell, Oxford
Vossbrinck CR, Coleman DC, Woolley TA (1978) Abiotic and biotic factors in litter decomposition in a semiarid grassland. Ecol 59:265–271
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Deshmukh, I. Decomposition of grasses in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. Oecologia 67, 147–149 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378467
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00378467