J. N. Singh

Abstract

The present investigation deals with the hydro-edaphic properties and their mutual interaction in the woodland habitat of NBR - Kerala and the ameliorative role of the elements of genus Ficus and other taxa in the in-situ environment of the area. It is held from the results that edaphic factors contain sufficient energy to hold the vegetation / flora of the region in the present form. However, it is a declined status in comparison to 1982 values. Due to presence of appropriate quantum of energy materials in the soils systems, their other related properties like soil-proteins, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable calcium, water holding capacity, porosity, etc. are excellent and system is quite balanced at present. The equally potent agent i.e. waters of the region are quite bereft of dissolved minerals in their per unit volume but totally free of alkali hazards. However, the soil-water interaction is a matter of concern for the region. The chemically dilute waters eat up the mineral riches of the soils and mineral transfer from edaphic media to aqua media is directly proportional to the degree of dilution and periodic length of submergence. Besides, the interactions further create a phenomenal change in the pH environment of edaphic media and strain the system to salt imbalance in the process. In presence of prevalent biotic and abiotic factors of the region the role of the elements of genus Ficus particularly their ischolar_main systems and leaf litter on soil conditions along with their chief associates observed to be very positive in keeping the system viable and sustainable.

Keywords

Genus Ficus (Moraceae), Hydro-edaphic Properties, Woodland Habitat, Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve, Kerala

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J. N. Singh , S. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

The present investigation deals with natural chemical reserves and physical characteristics of leaf litter of 35 dominant tree species of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and efficacious impact of leaf litter of a few selected species on physico-chemical properties of sodic soil. Carbon contents of the litter ranged between 34.3% and 47.8% and nitrogen 1.64% and 3.58%. The ash content varied from 2.8% to 29.2% and phosphorus 0.41% to 0.846%. The leaf litter of almost all the species showed the dominance of divalent cations (Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺) over monovalent (Na⁺ and K⁺). Results further illustrated that the leaf litter of Moraceae family is characterized by highest donor of element calcium. Besides, these leaf litters showed their excellent water holding capacity, which ranged in between 378.4% and 699.5%. Results of leaf litter impact of a few selected species on sodic soil led to a clue that leaf litter with high values of energy content and phosphorus concentration were more effective in ameliorating sodic soil. The judicious application of forest tree leaf litter, which aid in bringing the abnormal condition of the soils to the normal level may be used as a device of treasure of lost minerals to revamp the nutrient deficient terrestrial media as a biological tool, possessing an extraordinary minerals bearing potential.

Keywords

Mineral Content, Tree Leaf Litter, Sodic Soil, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

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J. N. Singh

Abstract

The present investigation deals with edaphic characteristics of woodland habitat of Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and their relationship with its flora. It is concluded from the results that majority of the soil types of the habitat possess high proportion of sands in their mechanical composition. Soils as a whole are acidic in reaction , poor in energy materials , available nitrogen and phosphorus , poor to moderate in water holding capacity , but highly conducive in porosity. It is further elucidated that soils contain high quantum of silica (93.2 percent) an inert element and against this element the integrating agents like energy materials (organic) and sesquioxides , ironoxide and liming materials (inorganic) are relatively low. The habitat receives maximum injury/damage from its jhum. The commencement of the jhum causes terrestrial media to lose their acquired characteristics rapidly and leave the floral vegetations exposed to interact directly with soils inherent characteristics , which have been observed to be un conducive for their proper growth and development. Soils mechanical and physical characteristics are mainly responsible for the plant species distribution within the biosphere reserve than their chemical characteristics.

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J. N. Singh , S. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

The study was aimed at to investigate the hydro-edaphic properties of Woodland habitat of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR) and their possible relationship with its flora. Mechanically, the soils within two states are quite sound and are capable to support the taxa of mighty dimension and lofty height. There are six textural classes of soils in Tamil Nadu - NBR and seven in Karnataka. Due to high presence of clays contents in the majority of the soil types within NBR - Tamilnadu make the soil texturally superior over their counterpart in Karnataka. Data on physico-chemical characteristics of the soil irrespective of state demonstrate the superiority of their acquired characteristics over inherent. The inherent characteristics of the soil in both states of NBR are heavily loaded with silica, sesquioxides and iron oxides which are not congenial to the proper growth and development of flora of the area. It is further illustrated that one delicate but stable equilibrium is functioning among soilvegetation and climate of the region, which is remarkably tilted towards degradation in both states. Soils as whole within two states are feebly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction, possess sufficient reserve of energy materials within Tamil Nadu, but in Karnataka, they are noticeably bereft. Their other physico-chemical characteristics such as water holding capacity, porosity, available nitrogen, phosphorus and cation exchange capacity are relatively superior in Tamil Nadu than Karnataka. The waters of Tamil Nadu are categorized as C₁ S₁ class, whereas, water of Karnataka come under C₂ S₁ category and as such they have direct bearing on flora and fauna of the area.

Keywords

Hydro-edaphic Properties, Woodland Habitat, Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka

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J. N. Singh , S. P. Chaturvedi

Abstract

The present study was aimed at to investigate the hydro-edaphic properties of Woodland habitat of Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve (NBR)-Kerela and their possible relationship with its flora. Results revealed that hydro-edaphic properties of NBR Kerela are divergent in nature and, together, they are capable to hold the vegetation of the region in present form. NBR- Kerala- portion is only core area, which possesses the elements of rain-forest. Mechanically, the soils within NBR- Kerala are quite sound and capable to support the taxa of mighty dimension and lofty height. There are seven textural classes of soils. Data on physico-chemical characteristics of the soil of NBR - Kerela demonstrate the superiority of their acquired characteristics over inherent. It is further illustrated that one delicate but stable equilibrium is functioning among soil-vegetation and climate of the region, which is intact in Kerala - NBR. Soils as whole are feebly acidic to moderately acidic in reaction, possess sufficient reserve of energy materials. Their other physico-chemical characteristics such as water holding capacity, porosity, available nitrogen, phosphorus and cation exchange capacity are relatively superior. The water regimes of NBR- Kerela are divergent in their chemical characteristics / composition. It is categorized as C₁ S₁ class and as such have direct bearing on flora and fauna of the area. It is finally concluded that soil's physico-mechanical characteristics along with water availability are more responsible for floristic diversity than their chemical characteristics within biosphere reserve.

Keywords

Hydro-edaphic Properties, Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, Woodland Habitate, Physico-chemical Properties

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