Soil Resource Assessment of Kumaon Himalayan Mountains of India

A study was undertaken to identify the different physiographies and soil resources and to assess the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in Kumaon Himalayan Mountains of India. Main physiographies are summits/ridge tops, side/reposed slopes, river valleys and piedmont plains. Soils of summits/ridge tops and side/reposed slopes are mainly shallow to medium deep, coarse textured, underdeveloped/partially developed having A-C horizons (Entisols) followed by deep, fine textured and comparatively developed soils (Inceptisols). Soils of river valleys and piedmont plains are mainly medium deep to deep, loam to clay loam with structural B horizon and belong to Inceptisols followed by Entisols. Soils of summits/ridge tops contain more SOC stock in comparison to other physiographies. The same trend was seen in higher elevations as in lower ones