PHYSICO-CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTE OF SOIL UNDER DIFFERENT NATURAL FOREST STANDS IN ACHANAKMAR -AMARKANTAK BIOSPHERE RESERVE OF INDIA

A study of soil attributes at three sites under different natural forest stand in Lamni range of Achnakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Chhattisgarh, India reveals that there is a considerable difference in the soil properties due to species composition of perennial vegetation. All three sites soil viz. - Sal forest, Mix Forest and Bamboo Forest are acidic in nature and degree of acidity decreases with depth. Organic C%, CEC, and mineral contributed to acidity of soil and it was more in Bamboo stand as compare to Sal and mixed stand. Parameter like AWC, organic C, CEC, texture and bulk density are major attributes which contribute to differential recycling of elements under different species. The presence of roots, the quantity of roots per horizon indicates availability of nutrient in the soil.