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Kohima, Nov 24 (IANS) Scientists from Nagaland University, the only central university in the state, were part of a multi-institutional research team that conducted a comprehensive study on how diverse land use practices are affecting soil health in the Dhansiripar region, warning that the area is experiencing rapid soil erosion.
University officials said their study sheds new light on the urgent need for sustainable land management to protect agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.
The research team assessed soils in six villages – Amaluma, Dhansirpar, Doyapur, Kiato, Melongmen and Razafe, and captured the complex interactions between local farming systems and soil characteristics. Dhansiripar area is a sub-division under Dimapur district of Nagaland.
This study not only contributes to scientific understanding, but also has broader societal implications, from informing local agricultural practices and supporting policy development to enhancing environmental protection and promoting long-term food security.
The researchers aim to generate data-driven insights that help farmers improve crop yields, support sustainable agriculture, enhance local livelihoods and contribute to national goals of environmental resilience. The team investigated how rapid agricultural expansion, urbanization and forest conversion are affecting essential soil properties, including soil acidity (pH), bulk density, porosity, water-holding capacity, organic carbon and nutrient availability.
The research team found that prevailing practices in the region were contributing to soil erosion, decreasing fertility and increasing erosion risks – issues raised by the farmers themselves during initial field surveys. The research was conducted jointly by Nagaland University with researchers from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, Dibrugarh University, Toklai Tea Research Institute and Diphu Medical College and Hospital.
The findings were published in an international peer-reviewed journal published by global academic publisher Springer that focuses on scientific methods, tools and data used to track environmental quality.
Highlighting the need for such studies, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Jagadish K Patnaik said, “Nagaland University on Monday announced the findings of a multi-institution, university-led study which has revealed rapid soil erosion in the Dhansiripar region of the state.”
He said the research team reported highly acidic soils, declining structural stability and sharp changes in nutrient availability in the six villages surveyed. Professor Patnaik said the University urges the urgent adoption of sustainable land-management practices to prevent further degradation and safeguard the agricultural productivity and environmental health of the region.
The main focus of the study was to understand how soil properties vary across lowland paddy fields, cultivated agricultural plots, orchards and forest areas. Researchers used advanced tools such as multivariate analysis of variance, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to quantify variations and pinpoint underlying causes.
Highly to moderately acidic soil conditions ranging from pH 4.9 to 5.9 were recorded at all sites. The study said organic carbon content ranged between 0.45 and 3.69 percent, indicating substantial variation in organic matter turnover. The research team also reported notable differences in macronutrient availability and cation exchange capacity, underscoring the need for tailored nutrient management approaches.
Highlighting the important findings of this research, co-author Professor Manoj Dutta, Department of Soil and Water Conservation, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, said, “This study carefully examines a diverse range of land use systems, including lowland paddy fields, cultivated agricultural plots, rich orchards and lush forest areas.”
By taking this broad approach, research facilitates a nuanced exploration of how different land management practices affect soil properties. He points out that this methodology allows for specific and insightful comparisons that are often absent in contemporary peer-reviewed studies.
Additionally, Professor Tanmay Karak of the Department of Soil Science, School of Agricultural Sciences at the university said, “We found that soils in Dhansiripar are particularly sensitive to erosion and fertility loss, with the soil structural stability index showing signs of decline in low-lying paddy fields.” These findings reinforce the need for land-use-specific conservation strategies and sustainable agricultural interventions.
“Our research also integrates the perspectives of local farmers, whose concerns and comments have helped shape the long-term objectives of the study,” Professor Karak said.
Highlighting the important findings of the research, Reshinaro Tzudir, a PhD scholar in the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, School of Agricultural Sciences, said, “Our study highlights the significant variability in soil properties in different regions and the alarming susceptibility of these soils to erosion and fertility loss under prevailing agricultural practices.”
This raises immediate concerns regarding the long-term sustainability of our ecosystems. They said: “By focusing on the widespread degradation observed in many regions, we underline the urgent need for innovative, sustainable management strategies. This emphasis is particularly timely and resonates with growing global efforts to tackle soil degradation, thereby ensuring the conservation of our natural resources for future generations.”
Dr Ranjit Kumar Paul of the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Statistical Research Institute in New Delhi said the study employs advanced multivariate statistical methods to give a comprehensive quantitative analysis of soil characteristics.
“This rigorous methodological approach not only increases the reliability of the results but also facilitates drawing stronger conclusions about the interactions between land use and soil properties,” said Dr Paul.
According to the team, this research emerged due to its focus on an area that is largely absent from detailed soil health assessments. Its comparative approach across multiple land-use systems, coupled with rigorous statistical modeling, offers a holistic picture of soil dynamics that is rarely available in the northeastern region.
Looking ahead, the researchers plan to conduct longitudinal studies to monitor how soil properties evolve and develop applications, such as agroforestry and improved crop rotation. The research team also plans to collaborate with local communities to integrate traditional knowledge.
The researchers also aim to promote evidence-based land-use planning and engage policy makers to explore soil biological properties for a more complete understanding of soil health. Comparative studies with similar areas and community awareness programs are also proposed as part of the future roadmap.
–IANS
SC/UK