forest Soil: Vegetation Relationship in Mussoorie forest Division (Uttaranchal)

Abstract

Soil formation in relation to forest vegetation were studied in seven blocks of Raipur range of Mussoorie Forest Division, Uttaranchal (altitude 8OO m to 2,000 m above msl). The physical and chemical attributes of the soils under different forest covers were related to various vegetational parameters. The results showed that organic matter content was generally higher in different forest vegetation at high attitudes than at lower ones. Cation exchange capacity of the soils of different profiles showed in consistent trend. Illuviation of clay and sesquioxides had taken place in the B horizons of all the soils. Base saturation percentage in the surface horizons of all the profiles varied from 43.9 to 64.3, while the range in pH was from 5.5 to 6.8. As the clay illuviation was more pronounced in the profiles from Ringalgarh, Sripur and Dwara blocks, these soils appeared to be more developed than the soils of Lad pur, Raipur, Rajpur and Mahipur blocks.