Soil Respiration in Subtropical Disturbed Mixed Pine Forest and Undisturbed Mixed Oak Forest of Manipur, North-Eastern India

Seasonal changes in soil respiration and its relationship with abiotic variables was studied in subtropical disturbed mixed pine forest and undisturbed mixed oak forest of Motbung and Saparmeina hill, Senapati Distirct, Manipur located at a distance of 23.6km and 30km respectively from the Imphal city. Forest site I at Motbung falls at 24.99 N0 latitude and 93.900E longitude at an altitude of 970m and forest site II falls at Saparmeina falls at 25.040N and 93.940E at an altitude of 933m from the mean sea level by using alkali absorption method. The rate of soil respiration was highest during rainy season (472.98mgCO2m-2hr-1 in disturbed pine forest site I and 534.72mgCO2m-2hr-1 in undisturbed mixed oak forest site II) and minimum during winter season (85.72 mgCO2m-2hr-1 in disturbed pine forest and 105.35mgCO2m-2hr-1 in undisturbed mixed oak forest). Aboitic variables (i. e. soil temperature, soil moisture, soil pH and soil organic carbon) also exhibited a positive significant relationship with the rate of soil respiration.