Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Mixed Oak and Mixed Pine Forest of Kumaon Himalaya

Abstract

In this study, soil organic carbon (SOC) stock and soil characteristics were measured in mixed oak and mixed pine forest for two years (2008-10) at different altitudes of Kumaon Himalaya. The study revealed that soil texture at selected sites varied from loam to sandy loam and soil pH ranged from slightly acidic to neutral. The SOC stock was found to be higher in mixed oak forests than mixed pine forests. The average SOC stock ranged from 110.37 to 125.03 ton/ha at nondegraded mixed oak forest site and 43.81 to 53.47 ton/ha at degraded mixed pine forest site. P₂O₅K₂0, TN and C:N ratio were also found to be higher in mixed oak forest than mixed pine forest.