Abstract
IntroductionIn Central Himalaya, anthropogenic activities have led to the widespread replacement of Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forest by Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) for decades. This study was conducted to determine how natural Banj oak, Chir pine, and mixed oak-pine forest would differ in soil microbial biomass and soil nutrients. Soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) and phosphorus (SMBP), soil organic carbon (SOC) total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the 0 to 15 cm soil layer were investigated in the Central Himalayan region in the stands of Banj oak, mixed oak-pine, and Chir pine forest.ResultsThe SMBN and SMBP were significantly higher in Banj oak and mixed oak-pine forest as compared to Chir pine forest. The ratios of SMBN to TN (SMBN/TN) and SMBP to TP (SMBP/TP) were significantly higher in the Chir pine forest, indicating that in this forest, the proportion of microbial biomass N and P to total soil N and P was higher as compared to Banj oak forest. A similar pattern of variation was found in relation to season across the forests, all with an apparent peak in the rainy season.ConclusionThese results indicate that low microbial biomass N and P may be one of the reasons to create a nutrient poor site in Chir pine forest. The collection of pine litter by local people also impairs the return of nutrients to the soil and makes it difficult for Banj oak to re-invade areas occupied by Chir pine. This calls for cautions in large-scale conversions of the Banj oak forests to coniferous plantations as a forest management practice on concerns of sustaining soil productivity.
Highlights
In Central Himalaya, anthropogenic activities have led to the widespread replacement of Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forest by Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) for decades
Changes in plant community composition may affect soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics as a result of changes in the amount and chemical composition of plant residues returned to the soil (Yang et al 2010, Padalia et al 2018), which in turn influences the pool size and activity of the soil microbial biomass (Kasel and Bennett 2007)
The objectives of this study were to investigate: (1) How do the three major forest types would differ in Soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN), soil microbial biomass phosphorus (SMBP), and soil nutrients? (2) How do SMBN and SMBP vary seasonally and annually for three forest types under temperate climatic conditions? We hypothesize that the Chir pine forest would have markedly lower soil microbial biomass, slower nutrient cycling than the Banj oak and mixed oak-pine forest because of the slower rate of litter decomposition
Summary
In Central Himalaya, anthropogenic activities have led to the widespread replacement of Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forest by Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) for decades. This study was conducted to determine how natural Banj oak, Chir pine, and mixed oak-pine forest would differ in soil microbial biomass and soil nutrients. Soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) and phosphorus (SMBP), soil organic carbon (SOC) total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the 0 to 15 cm soil layer were investigated in the Central Himalayan region in the stands of Banj oak, mixed oak-pine, and Chir pine forest. Singh et al (1984) reported that replacement of Banj oak forest with Chir pine in the Himalaya affects the nitrogen cycle Changes in plant community composition may affect soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics as a result of changes in the amount and chemical composition of plant residues returned to the soil (Yang et al 2010, Padalia et al 2018), which in turn influences the pool size and activity of the soil microbial biomass (Kasel and Bennett 2007). Singh et al (1984) reported that replacement of Banj oak forest with Chir pine in the Himalaya affects the nitrogen cycle
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