Characteristics of some Lower and Middle Hill Soils of South Sikkim Forests

Morphology and physiochemical characteristics of three soils within the altitudinal range of 315 to 1490m under different vegetal cover of South Sikkim forests are discussed. The soils are acidic with fairly high content of organic matter and total nitrogen. Exchangeable calcium is maximum at the surface of all the soils and highest under mixed broad-leaved species. Humic acid content decreases down the profile. The properties of the three soils differ fairly widely and the difference can primarily be attributed to differences in physiograpby reflected through differences in vegetal cover and ultimately in the resultant soils. The three soils have been classified upto sub-group level according to Soil Taxonomy.