THE CANOPY EFFECTS OF Prosopis juliflora (DC.) AND Acacia tortilis (HAYNE) TREES ON HERBACEOUS PLANTS SPECIES AND SOIL PHYSICO-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES IN NJEMPS FLATS, KENYA

Abstract

The canopy effects of an exotic and indigenous tree species on soil properties and understorey herbaceous plant species were investigated on the Njemps Flats, Baringo district, Kenya. Samples of soil and herbaceous plant species were obtained within the canopies of systematically selected P. juliflora (exotic) and A. tortilis (indigenous) trees, and from adjacent open areas. Standing biomass, frequency and cover of understorey plant species were significantly (