Impact of Different Land-Use Types on Soil Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties in Alandan Forest- Sari

Nowadays, natural ecosystems degradation and its conversion to other land uses can create considerable changes in soil properties. The present study was conducted to investigate impact of land use change on soil physical, chemical and biological properties in five common types of land-uses in the mountain forest area in the north of Iran (in a part of Alandan district, Mazandaran– Sari), namely arable land, pine plantation, ash plantation, beech stand and destructed forest stand. The soil samples were taken from soil depths 0-10, 10-20, 20-30 cm with using coring method (8 cm diameter) in each site randomly (n=6). The moisture content of soil, pH, EC, bulk density, available K and Ca, organic carbon and total N, NH4 + and NO3 - concentration was measured in the laboratory and Net N mineralization, net ammonification and net nitrification was calculated. Results showed significant difference (P<0.05) in soil physical and chemical properties between different land-uses types. As, the higher pH, available Ca, total nitrogen and ammonium were observed in ash plantation and lowest total nitrogen, pH amount and litter decomposition rate (highest C/N ratio) was found in pine plantation. Also, net N mineralization and ammonification were occurred just in the soil of Ash plantation. Results of this study indicate a significant impact of different land use type on soil properties.