Impact of Forest Intervention on Water and Soil Quality Case Studies

Abstract

Forest affect the hydrology of watersheds in various and complex ways, by increasing evapo-transpiration, increasing infiltration, intercepting cloud moisture, reducing the nutrient load of runoff, and more. Even dry deciduous forests, which receive less rainfall, serve as natural filter and maintain the water budget throughout the year. This study highlights the brief remarks on dry deciduous forest through intervention on water and soil. In this field research study, an attempt is made to assess the quantum of the stream flow and to check the water quality and soil texture with reference to study area related to maintenance of forest hydrology. Results showed that the deciduous forest reduced the magnitude of peak discharge during rainy months and ultimately forest controls excess runoff in the downstream. Thus forests induce infiltration which leads to more uniform flow round the year. The water quality results indicated that the suspended solids as well as coliform and fecal coliform are reduced substantially prior to forest lands compared to disturbed forest. It is also observed that soil cover may be favourable in terms of amount of nutrients for the plant growth in the disturbed catchment.