Assessing the impact of land use change on carbon and soil quality in Kashmir Himalayas

The Kashmir Himalayas, a region of immense ecological importance, have experienced profound degradation due to land use changes, raising concerns about sustainability. This degradation has significant global implications, including carbon loss, soil quality deterioration, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity. This study investigates various key land uses, including economically vital cash crops such as apples and saffron, the socially significant staple food crop rice, as well as forest and pasture systems. The findings reveal that forests and pastures maintain significantly better physical, chemical, microbial, and enzymes activities, and exhibit greater soil nutrient reserves and soil organic carbon (SOC) pools. Specifically, forest soils contain 20.21%, 28.22%, and 34.49% higher total organic carbon (TOC) stocks compared to apple, saffron, and paddy-oilseed soils, respectively. A soil quality index (SQI) was computed using principal component analysis (PCA) based on over 30 soil indicators, including soil nutrients, carbon pools, and various physical, chemical, and biological properties. The SQI ranking is as follows: forest (1) > pasture (0.87) > apple (0.80) > saffron (0.67) > paddy- oilseed (0.53). This ranking suggests that the conversion of natural ecosystems to cultivation negatively impacts soil nutrient reserves, microbiome diversity, SOC stocks, and overall soil quality. The land use changes in the Kashmir Himalayas result from a complex interplay of natural forces, demographic shifts, and economic pressures. This research provides valuable insights into comparative soil quality under economically and socially relevant crops based on diverse soil properties. The findings can guide land use planning in Kashmir Himalayas and similar regions beyond geographical boundaries, aiming to preserve the ecologically fragile environment, ensure food security, bolster the economy, and promote long-term sustainability in the face of a changing climate. The significance of this study lies in its relevance to similar regions grappling with land use changes, making its findings pertinent to the global scientific community and holding promise for the development of sustainable practices and policies worldwide.