Minimal Soil Impacts of <scp><i>Caesalpinia decapetala</i></scp> Invasion in South Africa's Vhembe Biosphere Reserve

ABSTRACT We assessed the effects of Caesalpinia decapetala (Roth) Alston invasion on soil physical properties over 3 summer months in Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Topsoils were collected beneath replicated invaded and uninvaded conditions and assessed for soil moisture, water repellency, penetration resistance, infiltration and hydraulic conductivity. Results showed no significant ( p &gt; 0.05) differences between invasion conditions for soil penetration resistance levels and infiltration rates, but monthly variations were observed for soil moisture and hydraulic conductivity. It appears C. decapetala invasion affects some but not all soil physical properties; therefore, ecosystem recovery after C. decapetala removal can be spontaneous.