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Consistent status of soil along disturbance gradient in the sub-tropical forest of Aizawl, Mizoram, India

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India
  • 2Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India
  • 3Department of Environmental Science, Mizoram University, Aizawl-796004, Mizoram, India

Int. Res. J. Earth Sci., Volume 5, Issue (4), Pages 1-7, May,25 (2017)

Abstract

Disturbance plays a vital role in terms of change in fertility and dynamics of soil, as overexploitation of forest resources leads to thinning of vegetation and loss of plant diversity to a great extent. This may lead to change in physico-chemical properties of soil, and subsequently loss of productivity making the soil vulnerable to erosion. For present investigation, a total of three forest patches representing undisturbed (UD), moderately disturbed (MD) and highly disturbed (HD) sites were selected within the Pachhunga University College campus, Aizawl, Mizoram. The soil samples were analyzed seasonally (post-monsoon, pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons), for soil temperature, soil moisture content, water holding capacity, bulk density, pH, organic carbon, NPK. The soil temperature was increased with increase in degree of disturbance, showing direct influence of ambient temperature on seasonality. The soil moisture content and water holding capacity decreased from undisturbed to highly disturbed site. On the contrary, bulk density was reported to be high at disturbed site. The soil was acidic in nature irrespective of sites and seasons. There was a sharp decline in soil organic carbon, and NPK from undisturbed to highly disturbed stand, and highest values were recorded during post-monsoon season and lowest during monsoon season. The higher values during post-monsoon season may be attributed due to accelerated rate of decomposition of litter.

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