EFFECT OF FOREST FIRES ON FOREST SOILS IN MID HILLS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2021-12
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Effect of Forest Fires on Forest Soils in Mid Hills of Himachal
Pradesh” was carried out in Chir pine and Mixed pine forest ecosystems were under the main campus of
the University, Nauni, Solan under the Department of Environment Science, College of Forestry, Dr. YS
Parmar University of Horticulture and Forest Three factors (forest ecosystems, sites and depths) each two
depths was replicated five times using randomized block design (factorial). Representative soil sample of
eight treatment combinations were collected and analyzed in order to record physical, chemical and
biological properties. The effect of forest fire on forest soil showed significant variation in soil
characteristics. Soil bulk density followed the trend as burnt mixed pine (1.80 g cm-3) > burnt chir pine (1.65 g
cm-3) > un-burnt mixed pine (1.28 g cm-3) > un-burnt chir pine (1.23 g cm-3), respectively. Soil particle density
followed as burnt mixed pine (2.87 g cm-3) > burnt chir pine (2.65 g cm-3) un-burnt mixed pine (2.54 g cm-3) >
(2.43 g cm-3) un-burnt chir pine forest respectively. With increase in burnt site both parameters. Similarly, soil
chemical parameter like soil pH followed the trend as burnt mixed pine (7.22) > burnt chir pine (7.11) > unburnt
mixed pine (6.87) > un-burnt chir pine (6.06).The soil available potassium the trend as burnt mixed pine
(509.70 kg ha-1) > burnt chir pine (301.92 kg ha-1) > un-burnt mixed pine (280.46 kg ha-1) > un-burnt chir pine
(248.46 kg ha-1). With increase in all these parameters followed by burnt site. Heavy metals like soil copper
content followed the trend as burnt mixed pine (0.72 mg kg-1) > burnt chir pine (0.69 mg kg-1) > un-burnt mixed
pine (0.80 mg kg-1) > un-burnt chir pine (0.76 mg kg-1). The soil zinc content followed the trend as burnt mixed
pine (4.42 mg kg-1) > burnt chir pine (4.22 mg kg-1) > un-burnt mixed pine (4.67 mg kg -1) > un-burnt chir pine
(4.33 mg kg-1). Both of these parameters decrease in burnt site and increased in un-burnt sites. Soil biological
parameters like viable soil bacterial count followed the trend as burnt mixed pine (80.77 x 104 cfu g-1) > burnt
chir pine (75.95 x 104 cfu g-1) > un-burnt mixed pine (73.26 x 104 cfu g-1) > un-burnt chir pine (66.39 x 104 cfu
g-1). The soil fungal count followed the trend as burnt mixed pine (8.11 x 101 cfu g-1 ) > burnt chir pine (6.68 x
101 cfu g-1 ) > un-burnt mixed pine (13.68 x 101 cfu g-1 ) > un-burnt chir pine (10.03 x 101 cfu g-1 ). With
increase in burnt site in bacterial counts increased; whereas, fungal counts decreased was burnt sites.
The study
inferred that effect of forest fire on forest soils in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh has effected soil physicchemical
and biological characteristics. The result of the present study recommend controlled burning in the
both forest ecosystems which can increase the soil nutrient status.