Abstract:
The study examined the comparative assessment of soil physico-chemical properties in the
ecological zones of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Twenty 20m x 20m quadrats were delineated in the
natural vegetation of the freshwater swamp (FWS) and mangrove (MG) ecological zones to
collect soil samples and tree species. The soil samples were collected from the soil depths from
0-15cm, 15-30cm and 30-45cm and were analysed in the laboratory with standard methods.
Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Findings showed that particle
size composition (sand , silt, clay) were significantly higher in the freshwater than the mangrove.
Similarly, soil temperature was significantly higher in the freshwater than mangrove. Findings
also showed that Mg, and K showed significant variation between the freshwater and mangrove.
It is recommended that more soil studies should be carried out in the study area and moreso, the
bulk density and temperature should be closely and adequately monitored for the adequate
retention of soil fertility for the survival of plants.
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