Influence of vegetation and land use on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient status in the cold, arid climate of Ladakh Trans-Himalayan region, India

This study examines the impact of vegetation patterns and land-use conversion on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient dynamics in the cold arid environment of Ladakh, Trans-Himalaya. This study aims to evaluate the influence of different land use types (Agricultural land, Tree plantation, Pasture land, and Barren land) on soil organic carbon and nutrient status in the cold arid regions of Ladakh, and to assess how land use conversion affects soil fertility and carbon sequestration potential for sustainable ecosystem management. Analysis of soil samples from Agricultural land (AL), Tree Plantation land (TPL), Pastureland (PL), and Barren land (BL) showed clear differences. In the Sankoo block, TPL had the highest SOC (2.17% at 0–10 cm, 0.82% at 20–30 cm), while BL had the lowest (0.67–0.25%). Nutrient levels were also highest in TPL (AN: 397.76–203.67 kg/ha; AP: 9.54–6.54; AK: 406–323.23) and lowest in BL. In Drass block, PL showed the highest SOC (1.99–0.84%), while BL remained the poorest (0.10–0.15%). Nutrient status varied across land uses, with TPL and AL generally richer than BL. Overall, conversion from BL to TPL and AL improved SOC and nutrient status. The findings underscore the pronounced interdependence between land use patterns and soil fertility, accentuating the imperative for adaptive, climate-resilient management strategies to optimize carbon sequestration and bolster soil health within Ladakh’s ecologically fragile ecosystems.