Seasonal Variation of Soil Quality in a Semi-deciduous Northern Tropical Forest of Nagaland, India

• Published in: Applied biochemistry and biotechnology Vol. 195; no. 4; pp. 2359 - 2370
• Main Authors: Semy, Khikeya, Singh, M. R., Lemla, Wati, Temjen, Wati
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biochemistry; Biodiversity; Biotechnology; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Deciduous forests; Electrical conductivity; Electrical resistivity; Forest soils; Forests; India; Original Article; Parameters; Principal components analysis; Quality assessment; Quality control; Seasonal variations; Seasons; Soil - chemistry; Soil characteristics; Soil quality; Tropical forests; Wildlife conservation; India; Tropical forest; Forest soil; Seasonal soil properties; Soil quality index; Soil quality indicators
• ISSN: 0273-2289; 1559-0291
• DOI: 10.1007/s12010-022-04106-0

To assess the seasonal changes in soil parameters and the soil quality of a semi-deciduous forest in Nagaland, tropical forest soil samples were tested for 10 physical and chemical variables. Apart from clay content, EC, and CEC, the rest of the parameters showed a seasonal mean significant difference at p  < .05 level. Based on the principal component analysis, available nitrogen (N av ) and electrical conductivity (EC) were included in a minimum data set and are regarded to best represent the system attributes. In both additive and weighted soil quality method, maximum SQI was recorded in autumn season. The research summarized that seasonal variations can influence soil characteristics and soil quality through its aggregate effects. Considering the result obtained from the present study, the approach we have used in soil quality assessment would be suitable for primarily screening the tropical forest soil status. This would ultimately pave ways for future management and mitigation plans to facilitate the improvement of forest health and aid to biodiversity conservation.