Ecological Factors Influencing Distribution Patterns of Three Aristida Species and their Associated Species in Kifuko Ranch, Laikipia County, Kenya
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Date
2013-12-17
Authors
Mbaluka, Kimeru John
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Abstract
Livingorganisms are influenced by several sets of environmental factors. These factors are either biotic (living) or abiotic (non-living) and are categorised as climatic, topographic, edaphic and biotic. For any species to survive in a given location, it must evolutionarily adapt to the area's habitat environmental factors so as to outperform other species intruding into its niche. To understand and answer many questions emanating from plant species adaptation dynamics in relation to a habitat's prevailing environmental conditions, this planned study intends to investigate the possible ecological factors behind the distribution patterns for the two Aristida life forms (annual and perennial) at Kifuku Ranch, Laikipia County, Kenya. Findings of this study will assist in range management and more so in coming up with proper management systems for sustainable pasture resource utilization in the region. In achieving its objectives, the study will assess, record and document spatial distribution patterns for Aristida annual and perennial species as well as to determine the likely ecological factors that influence localized distribution pattern of the group's two life forms. It will also investigate likely associations for either annual or perennial life forms in the group with other plants species. This study will cover an area of ca. three thousand (3000) hectares and in the coverage area, four transects each measuring 3 km long, will be established. Floral and ecological data will be collected at the four transects and in (IxI) m ten randomly picked microsites. Samples and data to be collected will include: soil samples, topographic data, and microhabitat data including; presence of boulders/stones, termites hills, site depressions, percentage of shade in the plots and plots' aspect, floral distribution in the points, and area's past and current anthropogenic activities. Collected data will be described using descriptive and inferential statistics. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) will be used to examine the occurrence of annuals and
perennials of genus Aristida in relationship to specific ecological factors at a variety of sites. Isolation for spatial distribution patterns of Aristida annual and perennial species and associations of either annual or perennial life forms in the group with other plants species will be done by Cluster analysis (CA). These analyses will be executed using the STATISTICA software program