Open AccessSoil Quality Variation under Different Land Use Types in Haramosh Valley, Gilgit, Pakistan
Author(s) -
Farida Begum,
Muneer Alam,
Sameena Mumtaz,
Manzoor Ali,
Seema Wafee,
Muhammad Zafar Khan,
Karamat Ali,
Iqtidar Hussain,
Akhtar S. Khan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of economic and environment geology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2223-957X
DOI - 10.46660/ijeeg.vol10.iss2.2019.259
Subject(s) - pasture , arable land , environmental science , land use , soil quality , soil carbon , agricultural land , agronomy , soil ph , soil type , soil organic matter , agriculture , agroforestry , organic matter , forestry , land use, land use change and forestry , soil water , soil science , geography , ecology , biology
Soil quality is a fundamental component of environmental quality and impact of land use is also a keydetrimental factor in today’s rapid urbanization era. The study aims to evaluate the effects of different land-use type on selected soil quality indicators. Sixty soil samples were collected from various land use types, i.e, pasture, forest and agriculture from a depth of 0-15cm. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the land use type significantly affected the soil’s physical and chemical properties. The moisture content was significantly higher (p pasture land (2.9%, 1.2%) > arable land (2.5%, 1.1%). NO3-N, available P and exchangeable K did not vary significantly across land use types. However, mean values were higher for agriculture (10.2mg/kg, 4.5mg/kg, 66mg/kg) than forest (10mg/kg,3.5mg/kg, 60mg/kg) and pasture (9.8mg/kg, 4.3, 60.2mg/kg). Alpine soils are good ecological indicators because of vulnerability to environmental change, therefore, regular monitoring of soil properties along with carbon stocks is essential to maintain soil health, enhance agricultural productivity and sustain agroecosystems.