Impact of Biotic Stress on Physiochemical Properties of Soil at Doodhpathri Kashmir

Abstract

Anthropogenically disturbed soils have unique properties. In most of the ecosystems, especially under disturbed soil conditions, the soil properties are controlled by the accumulated materials. However, the equilibrium between the already present soil mass and the accumulated soil mass is very fragile and is affected by many factors. This study was carried out in the forest soil of Doodhpathri which is a famous tourist place in Kashmir in the spring and summer seasons at three sites (forest, meadow, and deforested sites) in 2019. Soil samples were collected at 15-30 cm depth. We determined soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), moisture, organic carbon (OC), available macronutrients (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, and Magnesium), and heavy metals (Copper; Cu, Nickel; Ni, Cadmium; Cd, Manganese; Mn, Lead; Pb, and Zinc; Zn). Soil texture analysis revealed the soils at all the study sites with a major proportion being comprised by the silt fraction and having a silty clay loam character. pH and electrical conductivity were found to be high at the deforested site in the summer. Organic carbon and moisture content were found higher at the forest site in summer and spring respectively. Nitrogen, potassium, and total bacterial count follow the same trend as higher concentration was found at the forest site in the summer while Phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium follow the same trend as their high concentration was found at the meadow site in the summer. Significantly higher values of heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Cd, Mn, Pb, and Zn) were found at the meadow site in the summer. The results could help to formulate conservation strategies for the soil at Doodhpathri that is affected by anthropogenic activities.