Impacts of Controlled Forest Fires on Soil Properties in Gadchiroli Forest Circle, Central India

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Kamble
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Forest Fire ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Central India ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

Forest is an important ecosystem service to human beings. In recent decades the forest is facing tremendous pressure from anthropogenic activities. One of the activities is the burning of forest floor for easy collection of non-timber forest produce. As a result of this number of incidences of forest fires has increased in the tribal-dominated area of the world. These forest fires have adverse impacts on soil properties which will ultimately in the long term have impacts on the forest ecosystem. Taking into consideration this fact this study was attempted to assess the impacts of controlled forest fires on the physicochemical properties of forest soil in the Gadchiroli forest circle of Central India. To assess the impacts six sampling sites from the forest where identified from the study area where no previous forest fire history was recorded in that season. Initial soil sampling before controlled forest fire was carried out in summer 2019 by quartering method in the topsoil layer (1-5 cm). A controlled forest fire was carried out in the same area. The soil was prepared for soil analysis and analysed by adopting standard methods for bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter. Results revealed that forest fires increase the bulk density of soil, at 50% (n = 3) sampling locations water holding capacity got reduced down; whereas, at other half increased in capacity was observed. In the case of soil pH 66% (n = 4) sample reported increased in soil pH and at other reduction in soil pH was recorded. Except at one sampling location electrical conductivity was reduced. A similar trend was also noticed for organic carbon and organic matter. Bulk density and water holding capacity will have long term impacts; whereas, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and organic matter will have short term impacts. Furthermore, in those sampling locations where forest fire does not occur in the last 2-3 years organic carbon and organic matter content of the soil is high. Thus, measures to be taken to reduce forest fires activities by incorporating an effective forest fire management system at a place by incorporating fire load management subsystem and fire suppression subsystem.  

scholarly journals Impacts of Controlled Forest Fires on Soil Properties in Gadchiroli Forest Circle, Central India

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Kamble
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Forest Fire ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Forest Fires ◽  
Central India ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

Forest is an important ecosystem service to human beings. In recent decades the forest is facing tremendous pressure from anthropogenic activities. One of the activities is the burning of forest floor for easy collection of non-timber forest produce. As a result of this number of incidences of forest fires has increased in the tribal-dominated area of the world. These forest fires have adverse impacts on soil properties which will ultimately in the long term have impacts on the forest ecosystem. Taking into consideration this fact this study was attempted to assess the impacts of controlled forest fires on the physicochemical properties of forest soil in the Gadchiroli forest circle of Central India. To assess the impacts six sampling sites from the forest where identified from the study area where no previous forest fire history was recorded in that season. Initial soil sampling before controlled forest fire was carried out in summer 2019 by quartering method in the topsoil layer (1-5 cm). A controlled forest fire was carried out in the same area. The soil was prepared for soil analysis and analysed by adopting standard methods for bulk density, water holding capacity, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon, and organic matter. Results revealed that forest fires increase the bulk density of soil, at 50% (n = 3) sampling locations water holding capacity got reduced down; whereas, at other half increased in capacity was observed. In the case of soil pH 66% (n = 4) sample reported increased in soil pH and at other reduction in soil pH was recorded. Except at one sampling location electrical conductivity was reduced. A similar trend was also noticed for organic carbon and organic matter. Bulk density and water holding capacity will have long term impacts; whereas, pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and organic matter will have short term impacts. Furthermore, in those sampling locations where forest fire does not occur in the last 2-3 years organic carbon and organic matter content of the soil is high. Thus, measures to be taken to reduce forest fires activities by incorporating an effective forest fire management system at a place by incorporating fire load management subsystem and fire suppression subsystem.  

Land Use Change Effects on Soil Quality in Prince Edward County, ON

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Watts
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Land Use Change ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Quality ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Prince Edward County ◽  
Effects Of Land Use ◽  
Water Holding

Soils play a critical role to society as a medium that facilitates crop production and also contributes to the energy and carbon balance of the Earth System. Land-use change and improper land-use is one of the dominant factors affecting soil erosion and nutrient loss in soils. We examined the effects of land-use change on an Elmbrook clay/clay-loam soil on a farm in Ameliasburg on the northern part of Prince Edward County. Three cover types were examined: a sod field (established for over 10 years), a wheat field (part of a wheat/corn/soybean rotation for 30 years) and an undisturbed deciduous forest. Under each land-use type, cores to a depth of 40 cm were collected along three random 30 m transects (at 8, 16 and 24 m), then divided them into 10 cm increments, combining all similar depth increments along one transect. Soil quality was assessed by analyzing various soil physical and chemical properties. Bulk density of the soil was much higher (1.55 vs. 0.95 g/cm3) in both agricultural ecosystems compared to the forest, but only in the 0-10 cm layer. Soil moisture at 60% water holding capacity was much greater for the forest than the sod and wheat soils. Soil pH was slightly lower in the forest compared to the sod and wheat fields. The sod and wheat fields showed losses of ~52% and ~53% organic matter, respectively, in contrast to the forested area. The greatest differences in organic matter and total carbon were found in the top 10 cm, likely due to the greater accumulation of litter at the ground surface in the forest compared to the agricultural sites. It appears that long-term (10 year) agricultural production has led to a decline in some, but not all, soil quality measures, particularly soil organic matter, bulk density and water holding capacity. These findings are consistent with much of the literature concerning the effects of land-use change on soil quality, and highlight the need to develop improved management systems to minimize losses in soil quality that can lead to declines in the productivity potential of soils over time.

Developing reservoir sediment ceramsite as a novel growing medium: I low temperature and anaerobic production

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Hsiang Liu ◽  
Yi-Hao Chu ◽  
Chih-Hsin Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Sintering Temperature ◽  
Nutrient Retention ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Anaerobic Conditions ◽  
Reservoir Sediment ◽  
Growing Medium ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Organic Matter Addition

<p>Ceramsite is a typical substrate used in soilless culture systems. It is clean and durable but usually shows poor performance in water and nutrient retention capacity. In this study, we used reservoir sediment as the material to produce ceramsite to use as a growing medium. We sintered it under relatively low temperature (600°C, 800°C, and 1000°C) and anaerobic conditions with and without organic matter addition (5%, 10%, and 15%). We examined their water holding capacity, bulk density, mechanic strength, and pH, which were related to the essential characteristics using the growing media. The results showed that organic matter addition decreased bulk density and mechanic strength but increased water holding capacity and pH. The sintering temperature has less influence on bulk density and water holding capacity but increased mechanic strength and pH with the increasing sintering temperature. Compared with the commercial high-temperature ceramsite and lava rock, the water holding capacity in our ceramsite can be three times higher than those. The microstructure from scanning electronic microscopy indicated the rough surface in ceramsite at 600°C and 800°C but became glassy surface at 1000°C which was similar to the commercial ceramsite and lava rock that showed more glassy and non-porous surface. The addition of organic matter maintained rough surfaces at 1000°C, which can be the mechanism to have higher water and nutrient retention. Our results suggest that the ceramsite produced from reservoir sediment under lower temperature and anaerobic conditions with organic matter addition can be used as a growing medium to replace commercial ceramsite with its better water retention capability.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Evidence of Soil Health Benefits of Flooded Rice Compared to Fallow Practice

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehangir Bhadha ◽  
Raju Khatiwada ◽  
Salvador Galindo ◽  
Nan Xu ◽  
Jay Capasso
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Cation Exchange ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Soil Ph ◽  
Cation Exchange Capacity ◽  
Soil Health ◽  
Exchange Capacity ◽  
Rice Cultivation ◽  
Flooded Rice ◽  
Water Holding

Flooded rice (Oryza sativa L.) in south Florida is grown commercially in rotation with sugarcane and vegetables. From 2008 to 2018, rice production has doubled. During the spring-summer, nearly 200 km2 of fallow sugarcane land is available for rice production. In 2017, approximately 113 km2 of rice were planted in the region. The net value of growing rice as a rotation crop far exceeds its monetary return. This study evaluated soil health parameters before and after rice cultivation and compared them against two other common summer farming practices - fallow fields and flooded-fallow. The soil health parameters that were tested as part of this study included soil pH, bulk density, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, organic matter, active carbon and nutrient content. Results indicated an increase in soil pH, and a significant reduction in soil bulk density due to rice cultivation. Water holding capacity increased significantly under all flooded land use practices compared to fallow fields. Cation exchange capacity significantly increased when sugarcane fields were cultivated with rice and ratoon rice, nearly doubled from 58 to 101 cmolc kg-1. Small, yet significant 3% increase in organic matter was observed when sugarcane fields were cultivated with ratoon rice. Almost 16 g kg-1 of active C is being generated within fallow soils, whereas less than half that under flooded practices, limiting the amount of soil loss via oxidation. Based on the soil health index, rice cultivation and flooded-fallow improved overall soil quality compared to fallow lands.

scholarly journals Soil Characteristics in Moist Tropical Forest of Sunsari District, Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilak Prasad Gautam ◽  
Tej Narayan Mandal
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Microbial Biomass ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Total Nitrogen ◽  
Microbial Biomass Carbon ◽  
Deep Layer ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Biomass Carbon ◽  
Microbial Biomass Nitrogen ◽  
Water Holding

The physico-chemical properties of soils of tropical moist forest (Charkoshe jungle) in Sunsari district of eastern Nepal were analyzed. The samples were collected during summer season from three depths: upper (0-15 cm), middle (15-30 cm) and deep (30-45 cm). They were analyzed for texture, pH, moisture, water holding capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, organic matter and microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen. The forest soil of upper and middle layers was loamy whereas that of deep layer was sandy loam. The pH value was lower (5.6) in upper layer than in the deep layer (6.6). The moisture content, water holding capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen and organic matter were higher in upper layer and decreased with increasing depth. The higher level of soil nutrients in upper layer was due partly to reduction in the loss of top soil and partly to the increased supply of nutrients from the decomposed form of litter and fine roots of the forest plants. The average value of microbial biomass carbon in the soil was 676.6 μg g-¹and microbial biomass nitrogen was 59.0 μg g-¹. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology Vol. 14, No. 1 (2013) 35-40 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v14i1.8876

Influence of biosolids and fertilizer amendments on physical, chemical and microbiological properties of copper mine tailings

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.C. Gardner ◽  
K. Broersma ◽  
A. Naeth ◽  
D. Chanasyk ◽  
A. Jobson
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
South Central ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Water Holding ◽  
Wilting Point ◽  
Microbiological Properties

A 3-yr field study was conducted on two texturally different tailings sites at the Highland Valley Copper Partnership mine in south-central British Columbia to determine the effects of fertilizer and biosolids amendments on selected soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties. Soil bulk density and penetration resistance decreased in the upper 15 cm of tailings with increasing dry biosolids application rates of 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 Mg ha-1. The addition of biosolids increased gravimetric water retention at field capacity and wilting point, but no significant changes occurred in the gravimetric water-holding capacity as both field and wilting point increased proportionally. Increasing biosolids decreased volumetric water-holding capacity on the silt loam, but had no effect at the sandy site because of decreased bulk density. Soil pH was not impacted by the treatments while electrical conductivity, soil organic matter, total carbon and cation exchange capacity increased with increasing levels of biosolids applied. Biosolids enhanced biological activity by increasing total aerobic, total anaerobic, iron reducing, sulfate reducing and denitrifying microorganisms near the surface. The fertilizer amendment did not alter soil physical or chemical properties from those of the control. The addition of biosolids was more effective at enhancing properties related to soil quality and fertility and therefore more effective for building soil organic matter on reclaimed tailings sites than the traditional use of inorganic fertilizer.

scholarly journals Characterization of Biochars From Tropical Biomass

Khazanah ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Warit Abi Nurazaq ◽  
◽  
Bambang Purwantana ◽  
Radi Radi ◽  
Andri Prima Nugroho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Rice Straw ◽  
Rice Husk ◽  
Soil Amendment ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Agricultural Residue ◽  
Pyrolysis Method ◽  
Water Holding

Tropical country has a large biomass provide from agricultural residue. The biomass has potential to be processed as biochar. In general, biochar can be utilized as soil amendment in order to increase the ability of soil to retain nutrients, reduce surface runoff, due to excess water, and adding biodiversity of soils that are very useful for plant growth. The biochar characteristics are strongly related to the feedstock types and also their pyrolysis method. This research aims to study the physical characteristics of tropical biochar and their potential suitability in soil improvement. The biochar was produced by slow pyrolysis method using a vertical bed kiln. The feedstock were 9 types of agricultural residue including: mango leaf, longan leaf, teak leaf, mango branch, longan branch, rubber branch, corncob, rice straw, and rice husk. Temperature of the pyrolisis process was in the range of 400 °C to 600 °C. The results indicated that the physical properties of feedstock affects the characteristics of biochar. The higher bulk density and fixed carbon value the greater yield of biochar. Compare to their raw materials, the average water content of biochar was reduced (0.2–3.85 %), while pH increased (7.06–9.9). The electrical conductivity in general also increased (0.11–2.9 ds.m-1 ). Bulk density changed, corncob, and branches materials decreased, while rice straw, rice husk and leaves materials increased. The water holding capacity was a fairly low number (4–20 %). Application of the utilized biochar as a soil amendment is to improve soil chemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, and availability of N-P contents) and physical properties (bulk density, porosity, and water holding capacity). Application for different soil types requires different biochar characteristics, it is influenced by the type of raw material used, temperature, and combustion time.

Effect of organic carbon (peat) on moisture retention of peat:mineral mixes

2001 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
T D Moskal ◽  
L. Leskiw ◽  
M A Naeth ◽  
D S Chanasyk
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
Oil Sands ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Field Capacity ◽  
Soil Samples ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Water Holding

Quantification of the effects of organic carbon (OC) addition to reclaimed soils is an important reclamation issue. Such effects on soil texture, field capacity (FC), wilting point (PWP) and water-holding capacity (WHC), all expressed both on a gravimetric and volumetric basis, were quantified using both in situ soil samples and laboratory-prepared peat:mineral mixes. Soil samples were collected from both natural and reclaimed areas within the Oil Sands region of Alberta; peat was obtained from the same area. Organic carbon was determined for laboratory-created mixtures and expressed as volume ratios; for the in situ samples it was expressed as % OC. Bulk density, an important factor in the effects of OC on water retention, was measured in situ.Water retention parameters of in situ samples on a gravimetric basis were significantly related to % OC, but those on a volume basis were not. Trends in volumetric WHC for in situ, coarse-textured samples were similar to those for gravimeteric WHC, due to similar bulk densities ranging from 1.30 to 1.40 Mg m–3. However, for in situ peaty soils, trends in volumetric water retention did not mimic those expressed on a gravimetric basis due to low and irregular bulk densities. For laboratory-constructed peat:mineral mixes, FC and WHC were significantly impacted by % OC, however, PWP was not.  The addition of peat material resulted in minor textural changes for sand and loamy sand; hence, the change in texture could not be responsible for the increases in WHC as the result of peat additions. The results for sandy loam were variable. Key words: Bulk density, field capacity, reclamation, water-holding capacity

scholarly journals Study of Bio-fertilizer Produced from Agro-waste (Sesame Straw) and Cow Dung Using Eisenia fetida and Perionyx sansibaricus in Arid Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. R. Panwar ◽  
G. Tripathi
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Conductivity ◽  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Eisenia Fetida ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Arid Environment ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
Cow Dung ◽  
Perionyx Sansibaricus ◽  
Conductivity Water ◽  
Water Holding

In this study, an analysis of organic fertilizer of an agro-waste (Sesame straw) plus cow dung was carried out using an epigeic earthworm species Eisenia fetida and Perionyx sansibaricus. Sesame straw is abundantly produced after each harvesting of the crop in Kharif season in arid region of tropical India. The compost produced in presence and absence of earthworm exhibit significant (P<0.001) and non-significant (P>0.05) changes in physicochemical properties respectively. In control bedding, the values of water holding capacity enhanced significantly (P<0.05) by 1.28 fold, while organic carbon and C/N ratio decreased significantly (P<0.05) by 19.93% and 31.25% respectively after 60 days of composting.Working of E. fetida in the bedding material showed significant (P<0.001) difference in the level of pH, electrical conductivity, water holding capacity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, available phosphorous and available potassium. After 60 days of working of P. sansibaricus, these physicochemical properties of the bedding substrate also changed significantly (P<0.001). Analysis of vermibed showed a gradual increase in electrical conductivity, water holding capacity, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and available potassium by 1.51, 1.86, 1.95, 1.78 and 1.75 fold respectively. While the values of pH, organic carbon and C/N ratio declined by 9.30%, 41.80% and 71.48% respectively within 60 days of decomposition. Thus, E. fetida and P. sansibaricus can be applied for production of organic fertilizer of sesame chaff plus cow dung to fulfill the requirement of bio-fertilizers for organic farming and agro-waste management in arid environment.

scholarly journals Chemical and Physical Properties of Soils in Mt. Apo and Mt. Hamiguitan, Mindanao, the Philippines

2018 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Nonilona P. Daquiado ◽  
Raul M. Ebuña ◽  
Renato G. Tabañag ◽  
Perfecto B. Bojo ◽  
Victor B. Amoroso
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Bulk Density ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Water Holding Capacity ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Exchangeable K ◽  
Extractable P ◽  
Soil Constraints ◽  
Density Values ◽  
Water Holding

Aims: The study was aimed to determine the edaphic qualities of two Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) sites in Mindanao; Mt Apo in Cotabato and Mt. Hamiguitan in Davao Oriental, the Philippines Study Design: Random soil sampling within the plots Place and Duration of Study: Analyses of the soil samples collected from each site were performed at Soil and Plant Analysis Laboratory (SPAL), Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Bukidnon, the Philippines from October, 2012 to December 2013. Methodology: One hectare permanent plot was established in each site. Soil profile description was done in a pit measuring 1m wide, 1.5m long and 1m deep in each site. Soil samples for physicochemical characterization were collected within the plot. Soil physical properties included bulk density, particle density, soil texture and water holding capacity while the chemical properties included soil pH, organic matter, extractable P and exchangeable K contents using the methods employed at SPAL. Results: Results showed that the soils in Mt. Apo were extremely to very strongly acidic, had very high organic matter contents, slightly deficient to very deficient in extractable P, low to very high exchangeable K content, low particle and bulk density values, high porosity, moderate water holding capacity and moderately coarse to moderately fine-textured soils belonging to loamy textural class. On the other hand, the soils in Mt. Hamiguitan were slightly to very strongly acidic, contained adequate organic matter content, low extractable P, low exchangeable K, low particle and bulk density values, high porosity, moderate water holding capacity and are moderately fine to fine-textured belonging to loamy and clay textural classes. Generally, soils in Mt. Apo were more acidic but with relatively higher fertility status and comparable physical make-up with the soils in Mt. Hamiguitan. Conclusion: It was found that both sites have some soil constraints, particularly in terms of soil acidity and low nutrient availability to plants. Information obtained on this study revealed that identification of soil constraints are indispensable in formulating proper land use and conservation program.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document