Forest Resource Assessment in

Nepal
Current Status of FRA Nepal Soil Studies
and Recommend to Strengthen Soil Science
Human Resources

Purna Lal Maharjan

Purna.maharjan@gmail.com

May 2013

Contents

1.
INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background

3
3

1.2.

Field sampling for forest litter and soil

3

1.3

Soil Laboratory Procedure - Sample handling and processing

3

2.

Response to Comments Marked on SOP for Soil Analysis

4

3.

Analysis of Soil Organic Carbon and Bulk Density

5

3.1

Soil Organic Carbon and Bulk Density

8

3.2

3.3

3.4

Current Works of FRA Nepal Soil Analysis

9
Progress of Soil Analysis
10
Recommend to strengthen soil science human resources and Soil Database
10

3.6

Limitation in/ for FRA Nepal Program

11

3.7

Recommendation

Annex 1 Calculaclation of Bulk Density

Abbreviations

BD
CO2
FRA
gm/cm3
ha.
SOC

bulk density
Carbon Dioxide
Forest Resources Assessment
gram per cubic centimetre
Hectares (1 ha.=10,000 m2)
Soil Organic Carbon

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

ton

11

12

t/ha (t ha-1)
TOC

ton per hectare

Total Organic Carbon

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Forest Resource Assessment Project (FRA) Nepal is undertaking activities to fulfill
the data needs in the forestry sector. It includes assessment of forest, non-timber
forest products (NTFP), biodiversity, trees outside forest, forest litter and soil
carbon.
This short technical report deals with the current status of FRA Nepal soil studies
and recommend how we may best strengthen our soil science human resources so
that we meet our needs for soil analysis and reporting in a professional and timely
manner.
Further, an attempt is being made to answer some Comments made on Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP) for soil analysis to determine organic carbon in soil and
recommend as required for forest land use/ vegetation production.

1.2 Field sampling for forest litter and soil

The sampling procedure for forest litter and soil is well illustrated in the FRA Nepal
Field Manual 2010 (Last revised on 1/31/2011) particularly page 47 (Figure 10) for
collection composite litter and soil samples on a concentric circular sample plots
(CCSPs) page 12 (Figure2)
Similarly, sampling of composite litter and soil sampling is indicated on page 47 and
handling of soil samples on Annex I and II: Soil sample collection and Textural class;
Annex X and XI: Schematic presentation of a soil pit for taking volumetric soil
sample; and Annex XII: Soil sample treatment from field to laboratory is well
documented in the Field Manual 2010.
Further, Promod Sharma, Scientist (Soil, GIS/RS) has presented Principles of Soil
sampling Conceptual Knowledge on Collecting Soil Samples a 25 slides indicating
how to handle soil sample in the field and report to laboratory.

These activities are well undertaken by field crew and bring the litter and soil
samples to laboratory personnel's attention.

1.3 Soil Laboratory Procedure - Sample handling and processing:

Annex XIII: Preservation and preparation of soil sample in laboratory and Annex XIV:
Determination of TOC is well documented in the Field Manual 2010.
Reference : Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for determination of
organic carbon in Soil (followed by Tika Ram Pokharel, Soil Chemical
Officer, DFRS. Pp8. This is basically a copy of no 2 SOP + with some
additional notes.

Laboratory procedure
It is necessary to follow all the steps related to sample handling, processing,
sample preparation for analysis and chemical analysis during the
determination of organic carbon in soil.
Sample receiving:
As laboratory personnel are not involved in soil sampling, following checklist
is used while receiving the sample in the laboratory and it is mandatory to
provide following information:
Name of crew leader and sample location
Sampling date
Sampling code (Column, Row, Plot number, Stand number and Depth)
Copy of P2 and P6 form
After checking above information, laboratory personnel will receive the
samples as in the form A.
Sample handling and processing:
If the samples are wet, these are air dried and if it is not possible to analyze
the samples immediately in the laboratory or if immediate drying is not
possible, these samples will be kept in refrigerator at the temperature of
+4C until the next day or freeze at 20C over longer periods of time. The
samples should be handled with hands using plastic gloves at all times. The
air dried sample is collected back to a clean, dry plastic bag with the paper
tag, and is carefully closed and stored in a dark, preferably cool place.

2 RESONDDS TO COMMENTS MARKED ON STANDARD OPERATION

PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR
SOIL ANALYSIS
Air dried samples are grinded to make homogeneous and sieved through 0.5
mm sieve and 1 gm of soil sample is weighed for organic carbon
determination.
Note 1. The air dried sample should be oven dried and weighed first in order to get
information for bulk density calculation (see Annex I). Then the sample is ready for
processing preferably using a wooden roller (not grinder) for breaking the clods for
sieving through 2 mm sieve. Store about 90 g sample for future and subsample
from remaining lot 20-25g to pass through 0.5 mm sieve to get 5 - 10g sample for
OC determination and pack it separately on paper and put it on top of same 100 g
plastic container.
Weigh the particle > 2mm ( stones, pebbles etc) note it on record.
Take room temperature when you are weighing cooled oven dry soil sample and
note it on record time & temperature.
From the sieved and homogenized sample, preferably 100 g of the sample is
archived in a plastic container with a tight cap and label containing all the
original information from the sample tag.
Note 2. The sieved sample should not be homogenized but just mixed to t keep
representative sample in plastic container for future use e.g. for determination of
pH or other nutrient.

Calculation:
% Organic Carbon =

( BS ) xNx 0.003 x 1.3 x 100

W

Where,
B = Volume of FAS consumed for blank titration in mL
S = Volume of FAS consumed for sample in mL
N = Normality of FAS from blank titration
W = Weight of soil sample in gm
Since this method has 77 percent recovery, correction factor is 100/77 = 1.3
1 ml of 1N K2Cr2O7 (=1meq) = 3 (=12/4) mg of organic carbon = 0.003 gm of
organic carbon.
(1 mL of 1 N Dichromate solution is equivalent to 3 mg of carbon.)
% Organic Matter = % Organic Carbon x 1.724
5

Note 3. Two Blanks are used for daily calculation one in the beginning and other at
last after finishing 18 samples titration, the average is being used for calculation of
OC.

ANALYSIS OF SOIL ORGANIC CARBON AND BULK DENSITY

There are 3 references comprises of (1) Forest Resource Assessment in Nepal.

Memorandum after first mission to Nepal, September 16, 2010. Considerations for
Sampling and Analysis for Total Organic Carbon in Forest Soils of Nepal. METLA, FRANepal by Jukka Alm. Pp 20.
Reference : (2) Forest Resource Assessment in Nepal. Standard Operating
Procedure (SOP) for Soil Analysis, 2011. Pp 18. This memorandum
suggests the laboratory practices, analysis logistics and Determination of
Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) and determination of Bulk Density (BD) of Soil
and Estimation of Debris and Litter Biomass. This is a very valuable
reference for DFRS Soil Laboratory as it deals with all Good Laboratory
Practices Sample Receiving, Sample Handling and Processing and
laboratory procedure
3.2 Scope of the Method
Organic carbon in the soil can be determined by various methods for e.g.
Loss on Ignition Method (Dry Combustion Method), Spectrophotometric
Methods, Chromatographic Methods and Wet Oxidation Methods. It is
desirable to have a simple, rapid and accurate method for the analysis of soil
organic carbon. Unfortunately, the determination of soil carbon content by
most methods is time consuming or requires the use of costly and specialized
equipment. Depending upon the available equipments at laboratory and ease
of handling, Walkley-Black Wet Oxidation method has been used for this case.
This method can be used be for the determination of organic carbon content
up to 12 % in the soil.
Note 4. We are using here Walkley Black Wet Oxidation method.
Note 5. We are using Walkley Black Wet Oxidation method for Soil Survey Works.

3.4 Sample Handling and Processing

Note 6. Each soil sample is oven dried one hour at 110 degree C then cooled at
room temperature before weighing. Take room temperature, time and date and
record on book.

The soil samples are spread out on a tray for air drying. Then weight of
sample is taken. If it is not possible to analyze the samples immediately in
the laboratory or if immediate drying is not possible, these samples will be
kept in refrigerator at the temperature of +4C until the next day or freeze at
20C over longer periods of time. The samples should be handled with hands
using plastic gloves at all times. The air dried sample is collected back to a
clean, dry plastic bag with the paper tag, and is carefully closed and stored in
a dark, preferably cool place.
Note 7. The principle worker is soil chemist. He/ she do all sophisticated work
weighing, reagent preparation, titration, calculation and reporting. The lab boy/
helper just help in washing beakers, flasks etc and in soil sample processing
weighing, sieving, separating coarse fragments and storing soil samples for future
use.

Fine fraction is separated from roots and stones by sieving through 2 mm

sieve. The resulting samples are grinded to make homogeneous and sieved
through 0.5 mm sieve and 1 gm of soil sample is weighed for organic carbon
determination.
Note 8. Each soil sample is oven dried one hour at 110 degree C then cooled at
room temperature before weighing. Take room temperature, time and date and
record on book as in Note 6 above. There is just Two Ovens.
From the sieved and homogenized sample, preferably 75-100 g of the sample
is archived in a plastic container with a tight cap and label containing all the
original information from the sample tag (Column, Row, Plot number, Stand
number and Depth).
3.5 Laboratory Procedures
Organic carbon content in the soil is determined using Walkley-Black Wet
Oxidation method. The detailed procedures are outlined as below:
3.5.1 Principle
A known weight of soil is treated with an excess volume of standard
potassium dichromate solution in the presence of concentrated sulphuric
acid. The soil is slowly digested at the low temperature by the heat of dilution
of sulphuric acid and the organic carbon in the soil is, thus oxidized to carbon
dioxide. The highest temperature attained by the heat of dilution reaction,
produced on the addition of sulphuric acid is approximately 120 oC, which is
sufficient to oxidize the active forms of the soil organic carbon, but not the
mere inert form of carbon, that may be present.
7

The excess of potassium dichromate not reduced by the organic carbon is

titrated back against a standard solution of ferrous ammonium sulphate, in
the presence of sodium fluoride using diphenylamine as indicator. This
method only oxidizes 77 % of organic carbon present in the soil.
Note 9. The Correction factor respective to 77% recovery is 1.3. is O.K.

4.3 Procedure
After oven-drying and weighing the sample is sieved using a 2 mm
sieve. Plant roots are picked out of the sample using spatulas and their
dry mass is weighed with accuracy of 0.1 g. Stones and gravel that
remain in the sieve are also weighed as dry and their volume is
determined using the water replacement technique.
Note 10. Yes asked Lab worker to note Temperature, Time and Date while weighing
cooled oven dry soil samples.
5.3 Procedure
First of all mass of empty tray is taken. Then litter or debris is put on
the tray and kept in oven which is already fixed at 110 oC. It is allowed
to remain for two hours. After this, weight of tray along with dried litter
or debris is taken.
Note 11. No problem. Even though two oven are there, they are handling samples
either debris & litters or soil samples. Field Crew bring weight of field sample as well
as sub-sample so that field moisture can be determined by taking oven dry weight
of the sample.
5.4 Calculation
Litter or Debris Dry Mass, gm = Litter or Debris Dry Mass with Tray
Mass of empty Tray
Moisture Content in Litter or Debris, g g-1 is

Litter Debris Fres h Sample Mass ( gm ) LitterDebris Dry Mass( gm)

LitterDebris Fres h Sample Mass(gm)
Then, litter and debris total carbon content is calculated as in Excel
Sheet A.
Note 12. Take an expert advice on it or ask Database worker.
8

5.3 Procedure
First of all mass of empty tray is taken. Then litter or debris is put on the tray
and kept in oven which is already fixed at 110 oC. It is allowed to remain for
two hours. After this, weight of tray along with dried litter or debris is taken.
Note 13. No problem.(see Note 11).
5.4 Calculation
Litter or Debris Dry Mass, gm = Litter or Debris Dry Mass with Tray Mass of
empty Tray
Moisture Content in Litter or Debris, g g-1 is

Litter Debris Fres h Sample Mass ( gm ) Li tterDebris Dry Mass( gm)

Litter Debris Fres h Sample Mass(gm)
Then, litter and debris total carbon content is calculated as in Excel Sheet A.
Note 14. Take an expert advice on it or ask Database worker.
(3). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for determination of organic carbon in Soil
(followed by Tika Ram Pokharel, Soil Chemical Officer, DFRS. Pp8. This is basically a
copy of no 2 SOP + with some additional notes.(As noted as Reference earlier.

3.1

Soil Organic Carbon and Bulk Density

Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) is analyzed in the laboratory using Wakley and Black
Method. This method involves wet acid digestion using standard Potassium
Dichromate solution. The excess of Potassium Dichromate not reduced by the
organic carbon is titrated back against a standard solution of ferrous ammonium
sulphate, in the presence of sodium fluoride using diphenylamine as indicator. This
method oxidizes 77% of organic carbon present in the soil (with correction factor or
recovery rate is 1.3). This correction factor is used when better information in not
available.
Soil bulk density is calculated as oven dry weight of soil divided by the volume of
soil. Soil bulk density indicates soil structure and void space. It is an indirect
measure of pore space and is affected by texture and structure. Bulk density of fine
textured soil ranges from 1.0 to 1.3 g/cm 3, sandy soils from 1.3 to 1.7 g/cm3 and
organic soils lower than 0.4 g/cm3. Appendix I: Calculation for Bulk Density.
SOC and bulk density are available for 41 clusters out of 56 clusters in the Terai.
SOC and bulk density are analyzed for soil layers at 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm and 20-30
cm. The total SOC is calculated as the sum of analyzed SOCs in these layers. Total of
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132 plots (n=133) are analyzed, which gives mean SOC of 34.36 t/ha with standard
deviation of 15.32 t/ha. The mean bulk density is found to be 1.33 gm/cm3with
standard deviation 0.225 gm/cm3.

3.2 Current Works of FRA Nepal Soil Analysis

Kalpana Shrestha, newly employed Soil Chemical Officer is working in as In-Charge
of DFRS Soil Laboratory. She got on the site training for 3 days in the analysis of Soil
Organic Carbon using Wakley and Black Method. She is analyzing TOC at the rate of
18 samples per day plus 2 Blanks and improving her work and computing results on
book.
Simultaneously, Bulk Density is being computed while recording moist soil weight
(from the field) as well as oven dry soil weight (on the laboratory )on books using
volumetric core sample and computed on Excel file by Gita Mishra on her daily
routine works on weighing and processing soil sample for TOC analysis as well as
storing sample for future use. The formula in the Excel sheet is arranged in such a
way that as soon as moist weight and Oven dry weight are entered - Bulk Density
computation automatically filled in. But Kalpana Shrestha has to check it.
Earlier, during the first visit of Jukka Alm (September 16, 2010) BB Pudasaini worked
as Soil Chemical officer. He is a Chemist and Management Specialist in DFRS. He is
followed Ms Padmira Dangol, Soil Chemical officer, In Charge of DFRS Soil
Laboratory. She analyzed all the soils of Terai (28/02/2011 to 05/07/2011?). Then,
Tika Pokharel worked as Soil Chemical officer. He analyzed the soils of Siwalick and
Mid Hills (30/09/2012 to 10/04/2012?).

Works of Lab Boy/helper

Gita Mishra (studying 2nd yr Financial Management) is working as lab boy/helper
since last 2yrs and is well versed in handling soil samples for air drying as well as
oven drying and weighing and computing on book as well as excel files. She is a
good asset/helper for laboratory. She is being alerted to work according to Note 1,2
and 6,7,8 and 10, 11 cautiously.
Shiva Ram Dhungana (formerly in Photo lab) is working as lab boy/helper since 1
month earlier carries out hard job like handling glass wares, making distilled water,
run generator and electricity and on laboratory.

3.3 Progress of Soil Analysis

10

Currently, Kalpana Shrestha is analyzing TOC at the rate of 10 samples per day and
improving her work and computing results on book. It is two months work standing
now. If she improve handling a bit more sample it will be good.

Soil samples collected earlier

Soil samples collected on 22/3/2013

51

Soil samples collected on 16/4/2013

21

Total
Daily analysis:
Monthly analysis

3.4

438

510
SOC determination
22x18 =

18 samples/day
396

Recommend how we may best strengthen our soil science

human resources and Soil's Database

Besides, Kalpana Shrestha have run the DFRS laboratory to serve for analyzing soil
samples from DFRS and also meet the requests of other organizations. One thing I
could see that Kalpana Shrestha could try to improve her efficiency and/or arrange
her work along with other activities of DFRS Soil Laboratory.
Besides, the DFRS Soil Laboratory is a well equipped laboratory with electronic pH
Meter, Atomic Absorption Meter, Soil Mechanical Analysis Glass Jars, Desiccators
and Drying Ovens. A regular update training program for laboratory workers be
planned and arranged as required to run the other soil analysis program in full
swing.
Lastly, the TOC and bulk density data are just recorded on books and Excel sheets.
On the other, FRA-Nepal Field Form 2 (2. Sample Plot Description Field Form Stand
description) and Form 6 (Soil Pit Description and Soil Sampling Field Form Soil pit
description) are not yet computed on even Excel form. They should be put into
Database Format so that soils information are made compatible to correlate with
Carbon in above-ground (Forest Vegetation) , Carbon in below-ground biomass
(Bushes Vegetation), Carbon in dead wood, Carbon in leaf letter and Soil carbon.

3.5

Limitation in/ for FRA Nepal Program

Currently, soil sampling with uniform volume metal sampler of 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm
and 20-30 cm layers are well suited for Terai and inner valleys area having deep &
uniform soils. It may encounter some problem or difficult while sampling soils with

11

stone and gravel and with shallow soils over bedrock particularly on Siwalick, Mid
Hills, High Mountain and High Himal.
In the later case if uniform sampling is not possible - the buck density determination
should be modified by using Saran - coated clods for both Weight and Volume
calculation.

3.6

Recommendation

Total soil carbon and buck density determination are basically needed for carbon
sequestration calculation in Nepal but those parameters are not enough to indicate
future forest development possibilities and/ or nursery/plantation requirements.
And when we are using those CCSP clusters as permanent sites any future follow
up planning should include better added physical and chemical properties of Soil
like depth, texture, colour, structure, drainage and plant nutrient contains
Nitrogen(N %), Phosphorus(P2O5), Potassium (K2O), Soil pH , CEC and
Exchangeable cataions for example Ca++, Mg++, Na+ and K+ and BS % as
required for forest plantation.
Lastly, it would be better to recommend that soil pH be determined at present for all
the soil samples of the FRA Nepal project area so that the ecologist know the pH of
the soils whether acidic (4 - 5), less than 5.5 (dystric, low fertile), more than 5.5
(eutric, high fertile) neutral (6.5 7.5) or alkaline (> 7.5- 9) and use for nursery
plantation accordingly.

Purna
29/05/2013

Appendix I Calculation for Bulk Density

12

Soil water content (g/g) = (weight of moist soil - weight of oven dry soil)/
weight of oven dry soil
Soil bulk density (g/cm3) = oven dry weight of soil/ volume of soil
Volume of Rocks (cm3) = Fill 500ml of a graduated cylinder with water, and
record the amount.
Add the rocks to the cylinder and record the change in the water level. The
difference is the volume of rocks (1 mL = 1 cm3).
Volume of Soil (cm3) = Total soil volume - volume of rocks
Ref: USDA Soil Quality Test Kit Guide

References
Forest Resource Assessment in Nepal, Field Manual, 2010
Alm J., Observations on Soil Sampling and Analysis, and the Use of Data.
Memorandum after second mission to Nepal, May 2-14, 2011. Report,
METLA/FRA Nepal

13