Vegetation study of tropical dry deciduous forests in relation to soil N- transformations in the lateritic zone of West Bengal

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.