Abstract

The effects of natural forest on the chemical properties of soil at different depths (0 to 30, 30 to 60 and 60 to 90 cm) were studied. There was a slight increase in pH in the sites under vegetation compared to open space, whereas no appreciable change in EC was observed. But substantial increase in cation exchange capacity, organic carbon content, total and available primary nutrients were recorded in the sites under vegetation compared to the contents in the open space. The effect of natural forest was more in surface soil (0 to 30cm) than in subsurface soil (30 to 60 and 60 to 90cm ). The underwood vegetation in the study area, leaf litter production over the period of establishment and nutrient concentration in leaf litter were also recorded.

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