This study evaluated the impact of predominant land uses on the physico‐chemical and biological properties of soils along an altitudinal gradient in Indian Central Himalaya to enhance the scientific knowledge and identify suitable land use pattern. Soil samples were collected from six predominant agricultural land uses including (a) open cropland, (b) cropland with multiple tree species (C + mT), (c) cropland with single tree species, (d) crop near rhizosphere of trees, (e) home gardens (HGs), and (f) agriculturally discarded land (ADL). The physico‐chemical properties showed the significant differences with land use systems and altitude. Soil texture varied from sandy loam to clayey loam with altitude. The minimum bulk density and higher porosity were recorded for the HG system whereas water holding capacity, moisture, pH, C, oil carbon stock, N, soil nitrogen stock, and P in the C + mT system. Soil microbial biomass carbon (16–397 μg g−1) and soil microbial biomass nitrogen (28–68 μg g−1) were significantly higher in C + mT and lowest under open cropland. The highest microbial biomass was recorded in the lower altitudinal region of Tarai, and the lowest was recorded in the higher altitudinal region. Across the seasons, soil microbial biomass was maximum during the rainy season and minimum during the winter season. Interestingly, ADL also showed significant contribution in soil microbial biomass carbon and soil microbial biomass nitrogen and could be used for crop production in the future. This study concludes that good soil health, higher amount of microbial biomass, and better soil qualities occurred in tree planted soils than in open crop lands, mainly attributed to the greater availability of organic matter, litter diversity, and fine roots.

Introduction In Central Himalaya, anthropogenic activities have led to the widespread replacement of Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) forest by Chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) for decades. This study was conducted to determine how natural Banj oak, Chir pine, and mixed oak-pine forest would differ in soil microbial biomass and soil nutrients. Soil microbial biomass nitrogen (SMBN) and phosphorus (SMBP), soil organic carbon (SOC) total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) in the 0 to 15 cm soil layer were investigated in the Central Himalayan region in the stands of Banj oak, mixed oak-pine, and Chir pine forest. Results The SMBN and SMBP were significantly higher in Banj oak and mixed oak-pine forest as compared to Chir pine forest. The ratios of SMBN to TN (SMBN/TN) and SMBP to TP (SMBP/TP) were significantly higher in the Chir pine forest, indicating that in this forest, the proportion of microbial biomass N and P to total soil N and P was higher as compared to Banj oak forest. A similar pattern of variation was found in relation to season across the forests, all with an apparent peak in the rainy season. Conclusion These results indicate that low microbial biomass N and P may be one of the reasons to create a nutrient poor site in Chir pine forest. The collection of pine litter by local people also impairs the return of nutrients to the soil and makes it difficult for Banj oak to re-invade areas occupied by Chir pine. This calls for cautions in large-scale conversions of the Banj oak forests to coniferous plantations as a forest management practice on concerns of sustaining soil productivity.

Properties of the top 30 cm of soil under plantations of 1‐yr to 8‐yr old Eucalyptus (the hybrid E. tereticornis) and in adjacent natural mixed broad‐leaved forest were compared in the sub‐tropical zone of the central Himalaya. Various soil‐physical characteristics decreased with increasing age; soil‐chemical properties, notably organic carbon, total N, P and K decreased as a result of reforestation with Eucalyptus and further decreased with increasing age of the plantation.

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