Analyzing Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil along the Altitudinal Gradients in Thalamalai Range of Sathyamangalam Tiger, Tamil Nadu, India

Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve is the second largest reserve in Tamil Nadu having 1.45 lakh ha of forest area, out of which 524 sq.km area of lower plains and mountain slopes.Thalamalai range is the newly formed range in STR, Tamil Nadu.The elevation ranges from 800 MSL to 1400 MSL. The study area has 3 different forest type Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest(5A/C3), Southern Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest(3B/C2) and Southern Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forest(2A/C2). Healthy soil is an important component of the forest ecosystem.It is a strong foundation for trees and plants to grow on, a habitat for numerous insects, fungi, algae and a lab where old organic matter is recycled back in the ecosystem. Soil plays an important role in forestry. Rain water run off gets trapped in the soil like a sponge where it is retained for trees and plants as a water source.This also serves to limit water run-off and filters various minerals and impurities from the water before it hits streams and rivers. Plant life including trees is essential for maintaining the integrity of the soil. The present study deals with the analyzing physico-chemical properties of the soil along the different altitudinal gradients in Thalamalai range of STR.Representative soil samples were collected from 60 sample plots on different altitudinal interval. The soil samples were collected from each sample plots at the depths of 15-30cm(sub surface) by standard sampling procedure. The result showed that in altitudinal interval of 1000-1200 MSL the acidic pH value registered. The EC, soil OC, available N and available P was higher in 1000-1200 MSL and available P was higher in 1200-1400MSL. In case of soil OC and soil N content it was very high in these region because of the high floral composition which resulted in the proper nutrient recycling in this area.