Effects of different land-use types on soil quality in the hilly area of Rawalakot Azad Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

Vegetative cover plays an important role for the quality of soil especially in hilly and mountainous areas such as Azad Jammu and Kashmir where erosion is a major threat to the ecosystem and productivity. The study focuses on the impact of land-use types on soil quality by measuring the differences in chemical and physical properties at three sites in adjacently located natural forest land (forest), fallow grassland (grass) and arable land (arable). Soil samples from 0-15 and 15-30 cm depth were collected and examined for particle distribution, dry bulk density, organic matter (OM), pH, macro- and micro-nutrients. Land-use types had a significant effect on primary soil particle distribution. Highest clay content was found in forest and highest sand content in arable. Forest had relatively the highest levels of OM, macro- and micro-nutrients and arable the lowest. Most of the properties of the 0-15 cm surface level of grass were similar to those observed in the 15-30 cm level in forest. Arable exhibited lowest nutrient status and poorest physical conditions, indicating a degrading effect of arable cultivation practices on soil. Grass and arable showed, compared to forest, a 30–60% average increase in bulk density and 26–66% average decrease in OM. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation of OM with available phosphorus and potassium while it had negative correlation with dry bulk density and pH. Natural vegetation appeared to be a main contributor of soil quality as it maintained the organic carbon stock, and increased the nutrient status of soil and is therefore important for sustainable development of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other similar areas. Furthermore, OM was shown to be an important indicator of soil quality.