Comparative Analysis of Water and Soil in Relation to Forest Cover in Galiyat Region District Abbottabad

Abstract

The study was carried out in moist temperate forest, Galliyat region district Abbotabad, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. The study area was divided into three zones, Complete Protected Zone (CPZ) under which the area of Ayubia National Park (which is protected from all sort of activities), Partially Protected Zone (PPZ) and the Unprotected Zone (UPZ). Analysis of water and soil of the different zones were carried out to determine the impacts of vegetation cover on the soil's physiciochemical properties. Dominant trees species density (Pinus wallichiana. Ables pindrow, Cedrous deodara, Aesculus indica, Salix tetrasperma, Taxus wallichiana and Quercus delitata) in all zones were determined by using quadratic method and were found highest in CPZ followed by PPZ and lowest in UPZ. Physical properties of soil revealed that soil moisture content, infiltration and porosity is higher in CPZ followed by PPZ and UPZ. Only Bulk density showed inverse relationship, higher in UPZ followed by PPZ and than CPZ. Texture of the area showed variation with respect to slope and type of vegetation. The chemical properties of soil showed variation with respect to forest type. Concentration of potassium, phosphorous, nitrate and organic showed higher concentration in CPZ, moderate in PPZ and lower in UPZ. The pH of water shows very little variation in CPZ, PPZ and UPZ. Analysis showed that TDS, hardness, alkalinity, and conductivity of water is low in CPZ as compared to PPZ and UPZ respectively. The change in land use practices are the driving force that bring change in the physiochemical properties of soil and water. The area where forest remain intact shows slightly change in the properties due to difference in the aspects i.e., slope, elevation, drainage properties and flora density and diversity. Areas that are facing greater pressure of anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, over grazing and land conversion and leveling showed drastic change in the physiochemical properties. The lower values of physical properties are indictors of soil erosion followed by land sliding.