Spatial variability analysis of soil quality parameters in a watershed of Sub-Himalayan Landscape - A case study

Abstract

Soil organic carbon (SOC) is a key component in maintaining soil quality. Mapping the local scale variations in the distribution and stratification of SOC and other soil quality parameters across different layers has always been a challenging task, in the current global scenario of changing climates. The study was aimed to investigate the spatial distribution of SOC and other soil quality parameters including SOC stratification ratio and CN ratio in a small hilly watershed (̴ 10 km2) located in the mid Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India. Soil samples were collected in November 2015, from 75 points at two depths (0-15 cm and 15-30cm), along with their geographical coordinates using a Global Positioning System (GPS). The results revealed that SOC concentration (g kg-1) decreased with increasing soil depth, throughout the study area and differed significantly (P75. The overall results indicated that a higher degree of soil quality existed at the higher elevation regions of the watershed. Majority of the soils in the watershed accounted for only 60% of the maximum possible value of SQI, which necessitates the adoption of better management practices for improving the soil quality.

Keywords

• Soil quality
• Himalaya
• IDW interpolation
• watershed
• soil organic carbon