Unraveling the Effects of Shifting (Jhum) Cultivation on Physicochemical and Hydraulic Properties of Soil and Water Resources
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 2
Abstract
This study deals with how shifting (jhum) cultivation affects the physical, chemical, and hydraulic properties of soil-water resources in the vadose zone. This included analysis of changes in parameters such as organic matter concentration, pH, nutrient levels, and hydraulic conductivity, as well as soil texture and structure. For this, a microcatchment situated in the Aizawl District of Mizoram State in Northeast India was selected. Three sites were chosen in the catchment, each representing a different stage of cultivation viz. (1) Nonjhum land (NJL) or fallow land, (2) Newly burnt jhum land (NBJL), and (3) Cultivated jhum land (CJL). By selecting shifting (jhum) sites with similar topographical conditions, this study provides a better understanding of the effects of shifting (jhum) cultivation on the physicochemical properties of the local soil and water resources. To assess the effects of shifting (jhum) cultivation at three different stages of shifting (jhum), soil samples were collected from multiple depths, including the top surface, 5 cm, and 55 cm of the vadose zone. Water and sediment samples were also collected from three streams flowing downstream from these three shifting (jhum) sites. Findings reveal that both mean hydraulic conductivity and surface infiltration values were highest at NBJL. Furthermore, soil indices including the soil aggregate stability index (SASI), soil sealing index (SSI), and Forestier index (FI) were estimated to understand the properties of surface soils and their micronutrient and macronutrient availability. According to the SASI analysis, all soil samples from the shifting (jhum) sites exhibited a stable soil structure. The SSI results indicated that the surface soils had no risk of thrust or erosion due to shifting (jhum) practice. The FI assessment revealed that the vadose zone soils possessed abundant nutrient reserves. Soil texture in all three areas was found almost similar, with maximum percentages of medium to fine sand and the texture varying from sandy loam to loamy sand. Total organic component (TOC) (%) of surface samples were highest at CJL at 8.73% compared to 7.62% at NBJL and 7.47% at NJL. To study the seasonal variability of sediment quality, premonsoon, and monsoon comparison of all the stream sediment analysis was conducted. Macro and Micronutrients (phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, sodium, and zinc) were quantified for soil and sediment samples to study the changes in their concentration at various stages of the shifting (jhum).
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, the Government of Mizoram, and the National Hydrology Project (NHP) for providing Grant No. NHP-1678-HYD/21-22 to work on this project. The authors are also thankful to Prof. Sumit Sen, and Mr. Nishant Saxena (Ph.D.), Centre of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation and Management (CoEDMM), IIT Roorkee, and Mr. Vanlalpekhlua Sailo (Ph.D.), Department of Hydrology, IIT Roorkee, for their valuable contributions in this study.
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Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 2 • February 2024
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Jul 3, 2023
Accepted: Sep 14, 2023
Published online: Dec 12, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: May 12, 2024
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