Comparison of Soil Quality in Mono-culture Forest (Pinus caribaea), Natural Forest and Analog Forest Ecosystems: A Study in Mirahawaththa Sri Lanka (2019).
Authors: Chandana M.K.L., Yapa P.I., Senanayake F.R., and Chathuranga H.N.
Location: Belipola, Mirahawaththa, Sri Lanka
The soil quality is an important indicator of a healthy ecosystem. This short study examined and compared the soil quality (apparent density, pH, organic content, microbial diversity, and earthworm presence) among analog forest, natural forest, and monoculture forest.
- Data showed that the soil quality in the analog forest was similar to the natural forest, while the soil quality in the monoculture forest was very poor (see Table below).
- The authors suggest that the analog forestry system is an effective tool to restore soil quality.