Change in Soil Properties under Different Plantations of the Darjeeling Forest Division

Investigation on the soil properties of the darjeeling Forest Division(W.B.) was carried out to see the changes due to different forest vegetations (Pinus patula, Cryptomeria japonica, tectona grandis, Shorea robusta and mixed broad leaf species). Highest content of organic matter and lowest soil pH were noticed in the site of C. japonica plantation; calcium content was maximum in teak(Tectona grandis) area. The solls under C. japonica had minimum total bases nad teak the maximum and more than half of the total bases in teak area was contributed by calcium. Mixed vegetations reflected best performance on soil properties among the plantations undertaken in the present investigation. Results showed that vegetational cover affects the soil properties and it is suggested that in order to maintain natural ecological balance and avoid drastic changes in soil properties, mixed plantation should be prefferred to pure plantation.