Soil Morphological Characteristics of Sama Jaya Nature Reserve

• Main Author: Mohamad Khairi, Ahamad Hsbulah
• Format: Final Year Project Report
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) 2014
• Subjects: GE Environmental Sciences
• Online Access: http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/30599/2/Soil%20Morphological%20Characteristics%20of%20Sama%20Jaya%20Nature%20Reserve%20%28fulltext%29.pdf; http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/30599/

Taking into considerations the importance of in-situ environmental variations in managing urban forest, a preliminary study have been conducted to clarify the information on soil morphological characteristics in Sama Jaya Nature Reserve. Six (6) soils profile pits with approximately I m depth and I m width was dug at selected locations around the forest stand to represent the soil morphological characteristics of the soil in the park. Field observations on soil horizon depth, texture, structure, consistency, colour, plant root measurement, hardness and biological activities have been conducted following guidance in USDA-NRCS Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils (1998) and the data were recorded in Soil Characterization Data Sheet. The soil morphology of the soil was later detained and based on Keys to Soil Classifications Sarawak (2004), the result show that the soil in this park belong to the soil group podzols, Miri family and Miri series. The properties of this soil were sandy, coarse-loamy textures, siliceous, histic, have ortstein layer and aquic haplorthods layer. This soil has low nutrient supply, high water table and shallow rooting for plants. However, based on field observations, it was observed that the above vegetation in the park were growing well although the soils were less fertile as verified drom the soil morphological characteristics. Therefore, for future management plan, replantation of tree species that have been proven to successfully grown in the park is highly recommended.