Research Article | Published: 01 December 2003

Role of tree stands in the rehabilitation of degraded lands of Auroville, India

C. Buvaneswaran, S. Saravanan and R. Jambulingam

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 26 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 333-338 | 2003
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2003-SE727Y | Cite this article

Abstract

Investigations were undertaken to assess the long-term effect of tree planting activities on the amelioration of the highly degraded lands of Auroville, Pondicherry, with particular reference to microclimatic conditions and the status of microbial proliferation. Three different tree stands of 20-year-old were selected for this study, where predominant species were Enterolobium cyclocarpum, Peltophorum pterocarpum and Acacia auriculiformis respectively. Open site adjacent to the tree stands was also studied for comparison. The soil temperature fluctuation was high (12.80C) in the treeless open ground and was only 2.60C under the tree canopies at 5 cm soil depth. Among the tree stands, pure stands of Acacia auriculiformis recorded least daily soil temperature fluctuation both at 5 cm (1.3oC) and 10 cm (1.2oC) soil depths. Hence, opting a pioneer species like A. auriculiformis‚ will be a prudent choice where the protective role of trees is the prime objective. Further, the ameliorative effect of tree stands on soil temperature supported proliferation of soil microflora, which serve as an index of soil fertility enhancement. Studies on the microflora revealed that the tree stands harboured more bacterial (from 3.6 to 5.8 x 106 per g of soil), actinomycetes (from 18 to 21 x 105 per g of soil) and fungal (19.6 to 22.4 x 104 per g of soil) population than the barren soil.

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How to cite

Buvaneswaran, C., Saravanan, S. and Jambulingam, R., 2003. Role of tree stands in the rehabilitation of degraded lands of Auroville, India. Indian Journal of Forestry, 26(4), pp.333-338. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2003-SE727Y

Publication History

Manuscript Published on 01 December 2003

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