Studies on Forest Soils during Preparation of Forest Working Plans

The need of carrying out soil studies in forest areas during the preparation or revision of working plan has been emphasised. The exact procedure together with the traverse to be followed in the field for conducting soil studies particularly of morphological features in the (1) areas of plantation working circles, (2) areas covered by enumeration survey and (3) remaining areas has been described stepwise in chronological sequence. The different items of equipment required during the study have been mentioned. The various observations to be made about site characteristis, vegetation and soil morphology, etc., at each auger boring have been described. The usage at symbols for different observations and the broad basis of classifying the soils into suitable practical units as well as preparing soil maps have been indicated. The methods of digging soil pits, collecting soil samples and recording different observations in soil forms A and B bave been given in detail in the form of appendices. It may, however, be stated that modifications as may be considered necessary to suit local conditions or special objects of study can be made to the proposed procedure.