Paper Title
Soil Organic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in Himalayan Rangeland
Abstract
The objective of this study is to identify and quantify the present status of carbon and nitrogen pool in Himalayan
rangeland and to make recommendations for enhancing carbon and nitrogen storage for rangeland management. To meet the
aforementioned objectives, the field study was conducted in 2011 -2013. The study showed that soil organic carbon was
highest in legume seeding sub-plot in top soil (28.53 ± 2.6) t/ha of heavily grazed area. Similarly, total nitrogen was highest
in bottom soil (2.81 ± 0.16) t/ha in legume seeding sub-plot of enclosed un-grazed area. Usually, heavily grazed and legume
seeding sub-plots had more soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen concentration compared to others. The value of
above ground biomass was in increasing trend with decreasing grazing intensity but for below ground biomass, it was just
the reverse. On the basis of the results of this study, the grazing intensity is positively correlated with above ground and
below ground biomass and soil organic carbon but no any response with soil total nitrogen and soil bulk density.
Key words - Biomass, Carbon, Climate change, Himalayan, Soil, Rangeland