ASSESSMENT OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES UNDER DIFFERENT LAND USE SYSTEMS IN SEMIARID CONDITIONS
Loading...
Date
2023-02-22
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore
Abstract
The study was conducted in different land use systems viz., tree plantations (Tectona grandis, Terminalia bellirica, Swietenia macrophylla, Artocarpus hirsutus), natural forest, horticulture (Mangifera indica), agroforestry (Melia dubia) and agriculture at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru. Litterfall patterns, quantity and quality varied among the tree based ecosystems. Highest litter accumulation was recorded under A. hirsutus and least under T. grandis. The litter decomposition rate was higher in T. grandis and T. bellerica compared to A. hirsutus and S. macrophylla while in natural forest it was moderate in nature. Among the abiotic factors rainfall is found to be more crucial for litter decomposition. The initial litter chemistry content varied between the species and also the concentration of nutrients in the litter varied considerably with time among the tree species. The soil physico-chemical and biological properties varied between the systems. Dehydrogenase activity, available potassium, pore space and iron content emerged as critical soil traits. Based on soil quality index, land use systems are in the following descending order; natural forest followed by S. macrophylla, agroforestry, T. bellirica, T. grandis, A. hirsutus, agriculture and horticulture systems. The soil and litter fauna found to vary among the land use systems. The influence of abiotic and biotic factors on litter mineralization and nutrient release is found to occur because of the changes seen in litter and soil fauna. Further, the quantity of mineral nutrients released upon mineralization of litter is not sufficient to sustain desired levels of major nutrients in the soil. Thus, even under undisturbed tree based land use systems soil nutrient content are low under the semiarid climatic conditions, indicating the susceptibility of soils. Under the predicted climate change scenarios, the conditions may lead to desertification, and therefore need management interventions for undisturbed natural forests, and certainly for arable land.