Comparison of soil characteristics and carbon content of contrastingly different moist-mixed deciduous and evergreen mangrove forest in Odisha, India

ABSTRACT The research associated the comparison of soil properties influencing organic carbon between forest of Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), Bhubaneswar and Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP), Rajnagar of Odisha. Soil samples were collected randomly from sampling plots (20 m × 50 m) and characterized by SEM and FT-IR, etc. The SEM micrographs analyze the aggregate-dominant fabric soil (Fine sand type) of CWS and matrix-dominated fabric soil (Clay loam type) of BNP. The FT-IR spectroscopy ensured the variant and prominent C-functional groups in both forest soils. The soil organic carbon of CWS (47.51 ± 2.16 Mg C/ha) and BNP (54.3 ± 3.0 Mg C/ha) directed through soil physico-chemical properties. The C/N ratio of CWS (51.3 ± 13.8) and BNP (21.6 ± 2.6) soil indicated the freshly added stable carbon compound availability at CWS. These results encourage study of soil organic carbon perspectives for sustainable forest conservation