Abstract

This study was initiated to evaluate organic carbon (OC) charges along a transect through teak (Tectona grandis), eucalypts (Eucalyptus tereticornis) and albizia (Albizia falcataria) plantations in Kerala in relation to natural forests. A transect of teak, eucalyptus and albizia was selected in Kollathirumed of Vazachal Forest Division, Kerala. Soil samples were taken at every 200 m along 2. 8 km transects starting from natural forest. At each locale, fixing one tree as centre, 15 surface samples (0-20 cm) within a radius of 10m and one sample each from 0-20, 20-40 and 40-60 cm layers of soil pits were taken. Compared to natural forest, higher levels of OC occurred in teak, eucalyptus and albizia plantations. F-values were significant for the OC values of locales in the transect