Physico-chemical properties of soils in cool-temperate forests of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand (India)

Soil properties in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve exhibit significant variation with depth and forest type. While gravel content increases with soil depth in Abies pindrow, Betula utilis, and Quercus semecarpifolia-dominated forests, fine particles show marked differences across other forest types, particularly higher in Pinus wallichiana and A. pindrow stands. Organic carbon levels peak at 6.10% under Q. semecarpifolia (0–15 cm depth) but drop to 0.52% under A. pindrow (30–45 cm depth). Seasonal C:N:P ratios range from a high of 118.57:4.29:1 in A. pindrow forests (June–September, 0–15 cm) to a low of 8.00:2.68:1 (September–December, 15–30 cm). The study highlights the influence of forest type and depth on soil composition, with acidic conditions (pH 5.09–6.46) and bulk density (1.14–1.91 g/cm³) further shaping nutrient dynamics in these cool-temperate ecosystems.

D., S. (2013). Physico-chemical properties of soils in cool-temperate forests of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand (India). Journal of Ecology and the Natural Environment, 5(6), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.5897/jene12.097