Abstract
The spatial variability of soil pH and organic matter content under Shorea robusta of 43 years and 30 years old stand at Arabari and Abhoya respectively in lateritic region of West Bengal was studied. Effect of individual tree on soil pH and organic matter was also studied. The results indicated that spatial variability of soil pH under 30 years’ old stand was much more than that under 43 years’ stand. With the variation in lag distance the percentage of organic carbon content varied. The semi variograms of organic carbon at Abhoya and Arabari indicated that spatial structure of soil organic carbon was little at Arabari than at Abhoya. Higher spatial variability was encountered in the soils under younger plantation where biotic interference was comparatively less. There was a relation between the degree of spatial variability and the ecological status of the forest community. The approach employed in this study was advantageous in determining the effect of different tree stands on soil chemical properties where there was no plot replication.
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