Abstract:
Soil carbon is sequestered in soil by plants through photosynthesis and may be stored as
soil organic carbon. The increased levels of carbon sequestration may be observed with
plants grown on fertilized land. Rainfall and temperature have by far the strongest
influence on soil organic matter levels. Increases in temperature have been demonstrated
in empirical studies to increase soil heterotrophic respiration and decrease the amount of
carbon the soil may uptake. Soil organic matter content is usually higher where rainfall is
higher and temperatures are cooler. To analyze the effects of seasonal variations on
physico-chemical and biological properties of different forest soil types, a comparative
study was conducted to assess the relationship among soil parameters in Murree,
Islamabad-Pakistan. Samples were collected from the different forests in the vicinity of
Islamabad in all four seasons. Physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil were
analyzed. Results of the study shows that Soil Microbial Biomass (MBS) is highest during
summers season while lowest during the winter season for Murree samples. In winter
season 380 mg/kg Phosphorus concentration was observed in NUST samples which is
highest while it decreases in summer season. Total Nitrogen (TN) of 0.421% was observed
at Margalla site in autumn season which is the highest, while during the summer season,
TN was reduced to 0.211%. Highest Total Organic Carbon (TOC) was observed in
Margalla during winter season whereas the lowest TOC was observed in NUST samples
during summer season. Statistical analyses reveals that the TOC has a positive co-relation
with MBS, WHC and TN, while MBS had a positive correlation with TOC and
Temperature. Negative Correlation was found between soil moisture content and
temperature.
