A Two-Step Clustering Approach to Measure Soil Quality of Sundarban Based on Organic Carbon and Bulk Density

Abstract

Mangrove forest is distinctive because of their unique soil particles which are essential for determining characteristics of soil as their presence influence the growth of different species. The present condition of Sundarban is not so good because of our different activities and the elements of the soil of Sundarban have changed for a different reason. In our study, we have tried to know the present soil quality of Sundarban by measuring Organic Carbon and Bulk Density after collecting data from five regions of Sundarban such as Sutarkhali, Karomjol, Herbaria, Akram Point, and Alorkol. We have used linear regression analysis and Spearman correlation method to find correlation depth between Organic Carbon & Bulk Density and a Two-Step clustering algorithm to show the area in a cluster that contains the same amount of Bulk Density and Organic Carbon. We have gotten the mean value of Bulk Density is 0.87 g/cm3 to 1.26 g/cm3, Organic Carbon is 1.03% to 2.82% and the relationship between Organic Carbon and Bulk Density is negative. Our study exhibits that, the soil of Sundarban has enough Organic Carbon for plants but lacks sufficient Bulk Density.