Abstract:
Brief objective of the project:
The primary aim was to prepare a comprehensive account of community structure,
species distribution and productivity of the differently managed dry deciduous forests
with particular reference to soil N transformation. The specific objectives were:
1. To study vegetation structure, species distribution and productivity in a protected
planted forest and a natural community forest.
2. To quantify the soil physico-chemical properties, nitrifier population size, rates of
N mineralization and nitrification, and microbial N immobilization; and study
their seasonal variations.
3. To study the relationships between nitrifier population size, microbial N
immobilization and rate of N-mineralization; and also the affects of other
variables like soil moisture, pH, C: N ratio etc. on these.
4. To study the ultimate effect of microbial N immobilization and N transformation
rates on vegetation structure and productivity of the differently managed forests.
