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Effects of Deforestation on the Properties of Soil of Sal Forests in Bangladesh

Mohammad Zabed Hossain
Department of Soil, Water & Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

MIHIR LAL SAHA
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

CHAMAN BINTA AZIZ
Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

SIRAJUL HOQUE
Department of Soil, Water & Environment, University of Dhaka, Dhaka

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study examined the effect of deforestation on the soil properties (physico-chemical and bacterial) of the Sal ( Shorea robusta Roxb. Ex Gaertn.) forests in Bangladesh. Physico-chemical properties and the bacterial colony counts of soil were studied by comparing a natural Sal forest site with deforested and planted with Menjium site, deforested and planted with Mahogoni site, as well as deforested but not planted but covered with profuse growth of Axonopus compressus grass species site. Moisture content was significantly lower in the deforested and planted with Menjium site and deforested and planted with Mahogoni site than the natural forest site and the deforested but not planted site. Total organic carbon, total nitrogen and available nitrogen contents were significantly lower in the natural forest site. Significantly higher number of bacterial colony and higher organic carbon and moisture contents were found in the deforested but not planted site indicating that both organic carbon and moisture content were important for microbial growth. The present study clearly showed that deforestation significantly altered the soil physico-chemical and bacterial communities of the Sal forests. It was also revealed that plantation with different exotic plants were found to be different in influencing soil properties.

Keywords: Bacterial colony, Deforestation, Sal forest, Soil, physico-chemical properties

Location: Mymensingh, Dinajpur and Tangail

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Sal

Objectives:

The aim of the present study was to find out the effect of deforestation on soil properties through a comparative analysis of soil physico-chemical and bacteriological characteristics of a natural forests and deforested sites under Sal forests area.

Methodology:

The Sal forests in Bangladesh are mostly deciduous in type and distributed mostly in the central plains of Madhupur tract under Gazupir, Mymensingh and Tangail districts and the north-western district of Dinajpur of Bangladesh. The Sal forests in the Madhupur tract is moist deciduous while that in the Dinajpur district is dry deciduous in type . The Sal forest of the Madhupur tract was selected for this study. Sal forests consist of both highlands called 'Chalas' covered by forest plants predominantly Sal and depressions called 'Baids' are cultivated with rice . The annual rainfall of the area is ca. 1800 mm , 90% of which occurs in the period of May through October . The temperature of the area is moderate ranging from 30.3 to 20.9°C. Analysis of soil physico-chemical properties: The pH of soil was measured in a soil water suspension (1 : 2, soil : water). Soil moisture content was determined by weight loss after drying 10 g fresh soil at 60°C for 24 h. Total N was determined by Kjeldahl method following extraction from 2 g soil with cone. H₂ SO₄ Available N content was also determined by Kjeldahl method following extraction from 10 g dry soil using lN KCl solution. Organic carbon content of the soil was determined by Wakley and Black method using 1 g soil. Organic matter was determined by multiplying the value of organic carbon by 1.724 (Van Bemmelen factor). After 48 h of incubation, the plates having well discrete colonies were selected for counting. The selected plates were placed on a colony counter (Digital colony counter, DC-80SK 1000086, Kayagaki, Japan). Colonies were counted and categorized into three groups based on different sizes such as large, intermediate and small colony.

Source of Information: Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 19(1): 63-72, 2010 (January)

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Overall, the results of the present study showed that deforestation significantly altered the physico-chemical and microbial properties of the soil of Sal forests. Data also showed that plantation by different exotics might also have significant influence on soil properties. The results of this study thus suggest that the changes in soil properties due to deforestation and plantation by exotics should be taken into consideration while attempts are made for the management of the Sal forests.

Knowledge Management: Journal