Land Suitability for Biomass Production and Livelihoods

Soil is the function of geology, climate, time and biotic factors. Soil acquires properties in accordance with the forces which act upon it. Accumulation of debris resulting from weathering of rock and decomposition of organic material help in increasing fertility of soil. Breaking down influences soil formation chemically and physically. This process develops new chemical compounds and provides a new distribution and association of the minerals so that the resultant soil has composition which influences plant growth. Soil chemical properties, nitrogen and phosphorus distribution significantly contribute in good. Soil pH is important to see the soil reaction with environment. Acidic soil pH and soil texture from silty to silty loam in the temperate species is common feature where in tropical forest soil texture found silty loam to silty clay loam. The highest value of exchangeable magnesium (Mg) is also dominant feature of tropical forest. Due to large size of leaves which falls on the ground contribute to organic carbon, exchangeable calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) percent in tropical forest. Soil properties influenced by soil depth in deep weathering profile under tropical forest due to good roots penetration. There is inverse relation of pH and organic carbon content so lower pH in soil has been attributed to the higher organic carbon content, while distribution of organic carbon related with biological activities. Gradual increase in clay content of soil with depth indicate translocation of clay during pedogensis. Increase of silt and clay ratio from lower horizons to the surface soil indicated increased weathering and soil formation. Organic carbon showed a gradual decrease with increasing depth in general soil profile because the organic activities with leaves happen only on the top. Numbers of stems per hectares are not related with soil productivity but basal area of stem is related to soil productivity. Soils in tropical found to contain high level of organic matter, pH, and electrical conductivity, exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, K and total bases. Land capability is also refer the production capacity of land. Land capability classes are based on type of degradation in the land. Degraded land is having one or more limitations of slope, erosion, stoniness, rockiness, shallow soils, wetness, climate which affect soil production capacity. Least degraded lands have a great potential for producing fodder, fuel, fiber and moderate quality timber by adopting existing technologies for restoration. The technologies could be such as soil and water conservation measures supplemented with proper silvopastoral management, combination of afforestation and grassland development. Increase in forage due to soil erosion control. About 13% land area is under potentially productive wasteland and a substantial part of which can be reclaimed through Silvipasture system. It has been realized that the entire socio-economic fabric of this region rests on proper management of degraded pasturelands. The arid regions also comprises of a variety of plant biomorphs – trees, shrubs, under shrubs, perennial and annual grasses. This heterogeneity ensures better utilization of environmental resources as the biomorphs are of different heights and their root extends to different depths. Optimization of various biomorphs of our ecosystem through their preservation by proper timing of stocking in grazing and felling for firewood.