Influence of micro-environmental conditions on ecosystem exchanges in the afro-alpine zone of mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

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dc.contributor.authorKulunge, Salum Ramadhani
dc.date.accessioned2025-05-21T07:23:26Z
dc.date.available2025-05-21T07:23:26Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.descriptionDissertation
dc.description.abstractThis study was carried out in the alpine ecosystem of Mount Kilimanjaro (co, 4000 m a.s.l), from July 2012 to August 2012 with the aim of assessing the influence of micro­ environmental conditions on ecosystem exchanges of CO2. A total of 18 plastic soil frames with either single or combination of dominant species were used to determine and estimate the net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (FNEE) and ecosystem respiration (Reco), biomass and leaf area of dominant species, and to establish temporal and spatial variation on ecosystem CO2 exchanges. To achieve that, manually operated closed gas exchange chambers referred to as light chamber to measure net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (FNEE) and dark chamber to measure ecosystem respiration (Reco) were used. Later, the above ground plant biomass in each soil frame was harvested for leaf area and biomass determination. Leaf area and biomasses were obtained using digital scanner and through oven drying at 80 °C for 48 hours respectively. In order to assess temporal and spatial variations, soil frames were located in three subplots for repetition and measurement rounds were carried out from morning (0800 hours) to evening (17.00 hours). Both correlation and regression analysis were used to assess diurnal dependencies of CO2 concentrations on the environmental variables. The CO2 fluxes were correlated to Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) at (R2>0.95). The mean daily FNEE ranged from 1.3398 pmol m'2 s'1 to -6.2150 pmol m'2 s'1 and Reco from 1.3474 pmol m'2 s'1 to 4.6695 pmol m'2 s'1 while green biomass ranged from 302.2 gm'2 to 48.81 gm'2. The highest CO2 fluxes were evident in combination of species. Subsequently, PAR, air and soil temperatures explain most temporal variability of CO2 fluxes. Nonetheless, micro- environmental conditions created by vegetation structures that increased the leaf area for canopy level light utilization and green biomass seemed also to play important roles on CO2 exchanges.
dc.description.sponsorshipShikar Safari Club International Foundation
dc.identifier.urihttps://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/6736
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherSokoine University of Agriculture
dc.subjectAlpine ecosystem
dc.subjectKilimanjaro afro-alpine
dc.subjectTropical alpine ecosystem
dc.titleInfluence of micro-environmental conditions on ecosystem exchanges in the afro-alpine zone of mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
dc.typeThesis

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