ASSESSMENT OF EFFECT OF NATIONAL HIGHWAY (NH-22) EXPANSION ACTIVITIES ON SOIL CARBON STOCK IN MOUNTAINOUS ECOSYSTEM

Abstract

The study was conducted to analyse the impact of national highway (NH-22) bypass (Shoghi - Shimla - Dhali )expansion activities on soil carbon content. The study area was divided into four equal sites based on distances viz. Site 1, Site 2, Site3 and Site 4. The surface soil organic carbon in the study area lies in between range of 0.40 per cent to 1.29 %. The highest soil organic carbon of 0.79 % was registered in the post-monsoon season and lowest of 0.70 % was recorded in the pre-monsoon season. The soil organic carbon followed an increasing trend with the increasing distance from the highway. The highest soil carbon stock of 15.20 Mg C ha -1 was registered in the post-monsoon season and lowest of 14.70 Mg C ha -1 was recorded in the pre-monsoon season. The data further revealed that the soil carbon stock increased with the increase in distances from the highway at distances of 0-10 m, 10-20 m and > 20 m.