Impact of land use on productivity and nutrient cycling

Productivity will be measured in small-scale manipulative exclosures established by NTNU, SUA, and UDSM in locations varying in precipitation across the region; inside protected areas compared to pastures outside the park. NTNU, SUA, UG and UDSM will estimate the impacts of wildlife (fenced compared to unfenced inside the park) and livestock (fenced plots compared to unfenced plots outside the national park) and climate (variable rainfall regimes) on aboveground and belowground plant productivity. Complimenting this study, aboveground and belowground plant litter will be decomposed to contrast effects of land-use and rainfall on litter recycling. DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples will be used to assess the diet of goats and impala both inside and outside the park to identify key food plants (Pegard et al. 2009).