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Geochemical Analysis of Forest Floor Leaf Litters of Madhupur Sal Forest of Bangladesh

Md. Noyan Mia
Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Mohammad Kamrul Hasan
Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Kazi Kamrul Islam
Department of Agroforestry, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An experiment was conducted in Lahoria and Rasulpur beats of Madhupur Sal forest of Bangladesh to study the geochemical analysis of forest floor leaf litters with varying stands. The study was followed by completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications. The experiment consisted of three treatments like pure stand, plantation stand and mixed stand. A quadrate sample of 10 × 10 m² plot size was determined to collect the leaf litter samples from the forest floor for chemical analysis. The chemical properties of leaf litters such as organic carbon, total N, C: N, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulphur, boron, iron and zinc were determined following standard methods. The result revealed that the organic carbon, C: N, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sulphur, boron, iron and zinc content was the highest (39.04%, 59.12, 548.76 ppm, 0.53%, 745.74 ppm,0.25%, 50.75 ppm, 94.38 ppm and 36.31 ppm, respectively) in the mixed stand and the lowest (37.67%, 35.87, 293.26 ppm, 569.19 ppm, 0.22%, 27.77 ppm in case of organic carbon, C: N, phosphorus, magnesium, sulphur, zinc, respectively) both in the plantation stand and in the pure stand (0.30%, 37.57 ppm, 68.36 ppm in case of potassium, boron, iron, respectively). The content of total nitrogen was the highest (1.05%) in the plantation stand and the lowest (0.65%) in the pure stand while the content of calcium was the highest (0.32%) in the pure stand and the lowest (0.27%) was found both in the mixed stand and plantation stand. Therefore, it can be concluded that the geochemical characteristics of forest floor leaf litters of Madhupur Sal forest was well in the pure stand of natural forest (Sal tree) rather than the plantation forest (exotic tree species).

Keywords: Geochemical analysis, Chemical properties, Forest, Sal

Location: Lahoria and Rasulpur beats of Madhupur Sal forest under Madhupur Upazila in Tangail district

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Commodity: Sal

Objectives:

To study the geochemical analysis of forest floor leaf litters with varying stands like pure stand, plantation stand and mixed stand.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in Madhupur Sal forest under Madhupur Upazila in Tangail district. Rasulpur Beat and Lohoria Beat under Madhupur Sal forest were selected as a specific study area with a view to collecting forest floor leaf litter samples. The topography of the area is characterized by plain land and low hills rising 3.0 - 4.5 m above the surrounding field locally known as 'chalas' which are intersected by numerous depressions or ‘baids’. The annual rainfall ranges from 203-229 cm and the annual temperature ranges from 10-34°C. The humidity of the areas varies between 60 and 86%. Sal (Shorea robusta) is the dominant species of this forest. Presently participatory forestry program are being implemented here under the umbrella of social forestry programme with Acacia spp and Eucalyptus spp . Based on the species distribution in the forests, three stands eg., Pure stand (Shorea robusta), Plantation stand (Acacia spp., Eucalyptus spp.) and Mixed stand (Shorea robusta, Albizia spp., Dillenia pentagya, Cassia fistula, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Bauhinia acuminata, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Syzygium spp, etc.) could be distinguished from the study area which was used as treatments in this study. Within the above sampling areas, a quadrate plots of 10×10 m² with four replications following random sampling for each stand commonly found throughout the Madhupur Sal forest that represent the characteristic tree species. The treatments used for the study were designated like - T₁= Pure stand, T₂= Plantation stand and T₃= Mixed stand. The leaf litter sample collection was made following completely randomized design (CRD). Leaf litter samples were collected from the forest floor within each quadrate plot at selected locations of Madhupur Sal forest area. The leaf litter samples were collected by means of hand using hand gloves from different spots covering thoroughly to make a composite sample. From the collected leaf litter samples, little branches, inert matter, undesired substances other than leaf litter were picked up and removed. Leaf litter from each sample was cut into a very tiny size with a view to rapid drying and then the samples were oven - dried. Each leaf litter sample was ground with the help of grinding machine. Then required and desired solutions were made using chemical agents. Organic carbon, total nitrogen, carbon nitrogen ratio, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and boron of the leaf litter were determined by a wet combustion method, Micro-Kjeldahl method, Automated C: N analyzer, Olsen meth od, NH₄ OAC extraction method, Turbidimetric method and Molybdenum Blue Color method respectively. Calcium and Magnesium were determined by NH₄ OAC extraction method. Iron and Zinc were determined by DTPA method. The values from chemical analysis of leaf litters were tabulated and performed through a standard computer package statistical procedure WEB AGRI STAT PACKAGE (Jangam and Thali 2002). The Duncan’s new Multiple Range Test (DMRT) was done to rank the mean values of analyzed leaf litter samples (Gomez and Gomez 1984).

Source of Information: Fundamental and Applied Agriculture, 2016, 1(1): 23-27, ISSN: 2415-4474

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.f2ffoundation.org/faa/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2016/05/FAA-2016-005_Tech-Editor.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

From the results of study it is appeared that the nutrient status are higher in undisturbed forest sites i.e. pure stand and mixed stand compare to the plantation stand in the forest floor leaf litters of Madhupur Sal forest. The plantation forestry or participatory forestry activities with Acacia spp and Eucalyptus spp in the Madhupur Sal forest are lowering the nutrient status on the forest floor leaf litters. Therefore, it also may be concluded that for sustainable forest coverage we have to conserve our natural forest and Bangladesh government should take the necessary steps to conserve forest for maintaining the sustainable nutrient status of the forest floor leaf litter.

Knowledge Management: Journal