Author(s):
Nisha Thomas, M. G. Sanal Kumar
Email(s):
nishathomas09@gmail.com
DOI:
10.5958/2349-2988.2019.00041.X 
Address:
Nisha Thomas1, M. G. Sanal Kumar2
1Department of Zoology, St. Johns College, Anchal, 691306, Kerala, India.
2Department of Zoology, N.S.S. College, Pandalam, 689501, Kerala, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 11,
Issue - 4,
Year - 2019
ABSTRACT:
A study was conducted on the physical and chemical properties of the soil of Chittar forest station, Vadasserikkara range, in Ranni Forest Reserve, Kerala. Vadasserikkara range lies to the eastern part of Ranni, with its headquarters at Vadasserikkara. It covers an area of almost 268 square kilometres of the Ranni Forest Division. The major tributaries of the River Pamba - Kakkad and Kallar, flows through this range. The three different forest type seen in this range are-west coast tropical evergreen forests, west coast semi-evergreen forests, southern moist mixed deciduous forests. Thr three forest stations under Vadasserikkara range are Chittar, Gurunathanmannu and Thannithodu. The present study aimed to assess the physiochemical parameters of soil in various seasons in a mixed forest habitat of Chittar forest station in Vadasserikkara forest range. Soil analysis and statistical analysis were done using standard procedures. Percentage of gavel and silt was more in Moist deciduous forest and Semi Evergreen forest respectively. Nitrogen content showed significant variation between seasons and different type of forest. Nitrogen content was less in moist deciduous forest compared to other two forest types. Potassium and Calcium content was high in moist deciduous forest in all the seasons. In general soil analysis showed richness in organic carbon, nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium content, but low Phosphorus content which signifies high lushness and output of forest ecosystem.
Cite this article:
Nisha Thomas, M. G. Sanal Kumar. Comparative analysis of soil from mixed forest Habitats in Southern Western Ghats. Research J. Science and Tech. 2019; 11(4):287-291. doi: 10.5958/2349-2988.2019.00041.X
Cite(Electronic):
Nisha Thomas, M. G. Sanal Kumar. Comparative analysis of soil from mixed forest Habitats in Southern Western Ghats. Research J. Science and Tech. 2019; 11(4):287-291. doi: 10.5958/2349-2988.2019.00041.X Available on: https://rjstonline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2019-11-4-9