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Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Soil Along an Altitudinal Gradients at Southern aspect of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Central Nepal

Author Affiliations

  • 1Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, CHINA
  • 2 Himalayan Environment Research Institute (HERI), Kathmandu, NEPAL
  • 3 Freelancer in Public Health and Environment, Kathmandu, NEPAL

Int. Res. J. Earth Sci., Volume 3, Issue (2), Pages 1-6, February,25 (2015)

Abstract

This study accessed the variation in physico-chemical properties of soil from the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, central Nepal with respect to elevation gradient. Field visits were conducted during pre-monsoon and post-monsoon season. Soil samples were collected at every 100 m increase in elevation at the 15 cm depth from 1600 m to 2732 m (lower range is dominated by pine forest while upper range is by broad leaf forest with dense canopy) and packed in airtight polythene bag. Different parameters such as pH, soil moisture, organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and water holding capacity were analysed in the lab by using standard protocols. Significant variation in soil properties at different altitudinal range was observed. Soil pH had negative relationship with increasing altitude but soil nitrogen, organic matter, soil moisture and water holding capacity was found to be increasing with increasing altitude. But in case of potassium, high concentration was observed in the middle altitudinal range while phosphorus content was stable during pre-monsoon and higher concentration at middle range during post monsoon.

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