Potential of pine forest in controlling soil erosion in Himalayan region - Investigation using fallout radionuclide (137Cs) measurements

Abstract

The Himalayas possess a distinctive topography owe to the dynamic interplay of tectonic activity, geological erosion and sedimentation, glacial processes, and climatic influences over the millions of years. The rugged, steep terrain and poor land management make it more prone to water erosion, negatively impacts the soil, affecting the goods and services supported by the soil ecosystems. Traditional methods used in soil erosion assessment face limitations when dealing with topographically complex hillslopes. The use of Fallout Radionuclide (FRN) -¹³⁷Cs provides a feasible alternative for measurement of soil erosion in the region with such topography. However, there is lack of ¹³⁷Cs-based soil erosion studies in the north-west Himalayas. Pine (Pinus roxburghii) is the predominant forest type in the Himalayas, offering numerous benefits to both natural ecosystems and human beings. In this study, we selected a typical steep hillslope covered with pine forest in the Himalayas for soil erosion assessment. The study measured ¹³⁷Cs reference inventory of 1409 Bq m⁻² in the landscape. Importantly, the concentration of ¹³⁷Cs along the hillslope positions showed a significant variation attributed to topographic variability. Topographic factors, such as the slope shape and gradient, were identified as the major governing parameters of soil erosion in the hilly and mountainous region. The net soil erosion rate over hillslope positions revealed highest at upper hillslope followed by ridge, middle and valley hillslope positions. The net soil erosion rate under the pine forest ranged from 8.0 to 14.6 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹, with an average rate of 9.9 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Erosion rate over the hillslope positions were found in accordance to the soil loss tolerance limit (SLTL) except for the upper hillslope, indicating it as critical slope position requires to adopt suitable conservation measures. The study signifies the role of the forest in mitigating soil erosion and, in turn, conserving soil resources. The findings provide crucial insights and guidance to land managers and decision-makers, emphasizing the necessity of conserving and restoring forests in the Himalayas.