Contribution of Selected Herbivores’ Dung on the Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

Herbivore dung significantly contributes to soil organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) in the Serengeti National Park, with ruminant species like buffalo, zebra, and wildebeest showing a 1% higher N increase compared to non-ruminants such as elephants. This study analyzed dung decomposition and nutrient dynamics across three distinct soil textures—clay, sandy loam, and sand clay loam—in Serena, Barafu, and Seronera sites. Over 18 weeks, dung pats were monitored for weight change, OC, N, pH, and particle size distribution, revealing that while soil texture influenced OC addition, neither texture nor treatment significantly affected N increase. The C/N ratios (11 in controls vs. 15 in treatments) indicated a potential for dung to enhance soil fertility, with fluctuations attributed to weather changes. This finding underscores the ecological role of herbivore dung in maintaining nutrient cycles in grazed ecosystems.

Pallangyo, J. Y., & Emmanuel Mbije, N. (2021). Contribution of Selected Herbivores’ Dung on the Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Asian Soil Research Journal, 37–57. https://doi.org/10.9734/asrj/2021/v5i330112