Land Use Change Effects on Soil Physical and Biochemical Properties during Wet and Dry Season in Forest and Shifting Cultivation (Jhum) Sites in Northeast India.

This article explores the impact of land use change on soil properties in forest and shifting cultivation sites in Northeast India. The study reveals that soil properties significantly decline in shifting cultivation areas compared to forest land, particularly during the dry season. The conversion from forest to shifting cultivation leads to a decrease in soil organic matter stocks. The article highlights the importance of sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry and farm forestry, to address these issues. The study also examines the relationships between different soil parameters in forest and shifting cultivation sites, finding significant differences in moisture content, water holding capacity, and soil texture. Additionally, the study investigates soil chemical and microbial properties in forest and shifting cultivation land, revealing that both have acidic soil pH values, but shifting cultivation land is more acidic. Forest land has higher phosphorus availability, soil organic carbon content, and microbial biomass compared to shifting cultivation land. The authors emphasize the need for further research in the region to gain a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics and consequences. The text expresses gratitude to funding agencies, the Department of Forestry, and the farmers who participated in the study. It also provides a list of references covering various topics related to soil analysis, land use systems, and soil fertility in different regions. [Extracted from the article]