Soil organic carbon (SOC) in selected sacred groves from Bhor region of western ghats, Maharashtra

Abstract

Western ghats of Maharashtra represents several sacred groves. Sacred groves are\rideal ecosystems of a particular geographical area and represents unique floristic and faunal\rcomposition. Sacred groves are often studied from floristic and faunal view point. Present attempt is\rbased on soil organic carbon estimation from four selected sacred groves situated in Bhor region of\rPune district. These are – Somjaichi Rai, Maulidevichi Rai, Nivaganjaichi Rai, and Umberjaichi Rai. Rai\ris a local term used for sacred grove. Soil organic carbon in each sacred grove varied depending on\rdecomposition of leaf litter as well as amount of biomass. In Somjaichi Rai the amount of soil organic\rcarbon was 66.25 tonnes/ha while in Maulidevichi Rai it was 65.88 tonnes/ha; whereas in NivganjaichiRai it was 138.67 tonnes/ha and in Umberjaichi Rai it was 101.12 tonnes /ha.