The chemistry of the pedoderm – part 3: <i>Colophospermum mopane</i> shrublands and woodlands in the central Kruger National Park, South Africa

The woody plant, Colophospermum mopane, occurs as either a shrub or tree in shrublands and woodlands, respectively, the central Kruger National Park, South Africa. As first step identifying which soil properties potentially influence structure of C. mopane these landscapes, we investigated chemistry pedoderm woodlands. A total 39 composite samples (0–2 cm) were analysed. Relative to had significantly lower mean concentrations P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Mn, Cu, Na, B Of nutrients analysed, only concentration likely be constraining growth plants (0.16 ± 0.01 vs 0.69 0.05 mg kg−1 respectively). We suggest that shrubs do not establish trees because deficiency limits their increases competitive strength grass sward relative eudicot landscape.