Soil Conservation Practices in Forest of Nepal

Abstract

Forests play a vital role in Nepalese rural communities, which rely on them for firewood, employment, additional meals, and good health to sustain and improve their lifestyles. It has contributed to the Nepalese farming system. Soil helps in regulating ecological processes like nutrient uptake, decomposition, and water availability in the forest. Nepal’s annual soil loss ranges from 2-105 t ha-1 with 34% water-induced erosion, 60% mass wasting (geological erosion), and 3 % by wind erosion. Forest soil requires various management and conservation practices to minimize the exploitation of forest lands. Hence, this article explains the ongoing soil conservation approaches like Afforestation, Agroforestry, and community forest management in Nepal. This article can also be the roadmap for the formulation of appropriate policies in soil conservation, and indirectly in maintaining sustainability in the ecology.

Influence of faults on mineralogy and geotechnical characteristics of Tropical Volcanic Residual Soils (TVRS) concerning environmental issues and regional development, Case Study: West Lampung Transect Road, Sumatra, Indonesia

“…This soil has a high swelling capacity and a dispersive property [39]. These characteristics imply that these soils may cause soil degradation, as well as negative environmental and economic consequences [34]. TVRS 1 is better suited to primary forests, production forests, and conservation areas.…”

Effects of reforestation approaches, agroforestry and woodlot, on plant community composition, diversity and soil properties in Madhupur Sal forest, Bangladesh

“…While conventional forest management led to a gross loss of forest cover, participatory forestry extends the vegetation cover and reconciles ecological factors. Paudel et al (2021) mentioned that participatory forestry approaches met the objectives of forest conservation on sustainable basis in Nepal. Zheng et al (2008) found that reforestation activities significantly affected plant structure and soil erosion in Southern China's hilly forest area.…”

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“…3 Soil is an important component of forest and woodland ecosystems because it aids in the regulation of important ecological processes like nutrient intake, decomposition, and water availability. 4 Soil offers the anchoring, water, and nutrients to trees. As leaves and other vegetation die and disintegrate, trees, as well as other plants and vegetation, play a vital role in the production of new soil.…”