Article History Correspondence to Keywords Manuscript No. AR798 Field experiment was conducted during rabi season of 2008-2009 on an established plantation at Agroforestry Research Centre, Haldi, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar to evaluate the effect of tree species and their spacing on yield of intercrop wheat (variety PBW-502) and soil properties. The experiment was laid out in split-plot design with 3 replications. The highest grain yield (36.0 q ha -1 )was obtained under open farming system (control). The reduction in grain yield was in the range of 16 to 62% under agroforestry systems as compared to control. Poplar based agri-silvicultural system performed better as compared to other systems. Highest wheat yield was recorded in 3.0×2.5 m 2 spacing under Poplar, Melia, and Leucaena based agri-silvicultural system but in the case of Eucalyptus, 3.0×2.0 m 2 spacing was the best. The organic carbon was highest under Poplar (1.73%) as compared to control (0.60%). The electrical conductivity was significantly lowered under Leucaena interfaces as compared to control. Whereas, soil pH was lowered under Poplar (at 3.0×2.0 m 2 ) and statistically similar with Leucaena (at 3.0×1.0 m 2 ). Bulk density was significantly decreased under Leucaena and Melia interfaces at 3.0×1.0 m 2 spacing. Highest available N, P 2 O 5 and K 2 O content (200.42, 18.67 and 169.12 kg ha -1 , respectively) were observed in the soil under Leucaena (3.0×2.0 m 2 ).

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Forest fire spread out in an area having combustible material in the summer season with high temperature. It burns the area and looks like a misery. Forest fire is one of the factors that severely affects the forest biodiversity. Burning actions in a forest affects not only flora and fauna but also soil properties changed due to the forest fire. In summer season on sloppy topography forest fire originates in tropical forests. While in coniferous forests, forest fire outbreaks during the resin extraction activities. More than 350 million hectares (ha) was estimated to be affected by vegetation fires globally. In India about 55% of forest area is prone to the fire. Fires can be natural or man- made, but manmade fire affects mostly. Several forest types and areas are more susceptible to forest fires because of suitable weather, topography and inflammable material. Forest fires adversely affect the soil, water, flora and fauna and disrupt the ecological functions. The new advances in fire control are remote sensing and GIS where real time information can be gathered about the fire break and immediate follow can be done. The chemicals (as borate, ammonium sulfate and ammonium biphosphate) are used for fire control and various other types of fire retardants are used to keep the fire under control. Forest fire changes the composition of vegetation, extinction of species, development of the various adaptations in unwanted plants. Nutrient cycle and soils are affected. Frequent forest fire events cause global warming. Forest fire needed to be controlled at initial stage and the large fires should not be allowed to occur, the modern techniques of monitoring, detection and control must be used for avoiding the large fires happenings.

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India covers 147.75 mha degraded area, whereas 6.41 mha area confined to waterlogging problem in Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan and few other states. The transpiration principle of plants is used in bio-drainage treatment to reclaim such problematic areas sustainably. Evergreen broad leaved species recorded high transpiration rate and contribute highly in reclamation of waterlogged saline soils. Short rotation fast growing tree species like Salix, Eucalypt, Acacia, Albizia, Terminalia, Prosopis, Populuswere the suitable species for such areas. Agri-silviculture, agri-horti- silviculture, silvi-pasture, multipurpose woodlots, strip plantation and boundary plantations were widely used for reclamation of saline-waterlogged conditions of India. In agri-silviculture system, Eucalypt based agroforestry systems are widely used for reclamation of waterlogged areas as compared to other woody plant based systems. 0.84–0.86 m total drawdown of ground water in 3 years Eucalypt tree species. The vertical and horizontal root spreading of tree species is one important character for capturing and transpiration of excess water from waterlogged area. From the present investigation, longest root system was recorded from Prosopis cineraria (20-60 m) species.