o What were we looking at?
o The Pit Crew studied soil patterns throughout the landscape.
oWhy we studied the soils?
o To see how they change across the landscape.
o To see if there were any correlations between soil and elevation.
o To observe patterns between the soil and vegetation.
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I’mmmmm…. The map, I’m the map
o How did we do it?
o Digging soil pits and collecting data from many horizons at different
elevations:
o pH, color, texture, depth of horizon
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o What we found!
Depth of the horizons
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pH
Indicator
Average pH levels for pits 1-3
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B2,
E
B3
E
B
C
B4
B2.
B2,
B
The Next Steps…
- Determine age of soil layers and mineral particles.
- Controlled field tests to examine if relationship exists
between soil texture/pH and plant diversity/abundance.
From left to rightJohn William,
Hanna, Jenna,
Tyler, Adina, Chris
Objecti
ves
Identify factors that influence the diversity of plant species
in different areas
See if the age of trees correspond to their diameter.
Understand how soil affects the diversity and distribution
of plant species on a random transect line.
Upland Vegetative Sample Sites
Map!
Procedure
Randomly select site near soil pit on a transect line, and
mark off a 2 x2 m plot.
Identify species and quantity of herbaceous plants and
seedlings inside plot.
Measure light intensity, canopy cover and ground
coverage in plot.
Procedure
Identify species of trees, shrubs, and saplings falling within
boundaries of a circular plot with a 5.6 m radius.
Find the age of identified trees around the plot by coring.
Results:
Different plant species thrive in different
habitats and at different elevations.
Light intensity, canopy coverage, ground
coverage, slope, and elevation, among other
variables, may affect distribution of plant
species in area.
Possible correlation between diversity and
pH
Results of coring (taking core samples from
the trees identified in the circular 0.01 hectare
plots) show that diameter of the tree is not
necessarily correlated with its age
Diameter
The Next Steps…
- Isolate the variables in controlled experiments
- Sample more plots for more accurate data
-Relate the number of plants in plot to entire forest
The Stream Team investigated the health and condition
of the Potash Brook.
Research Questions
What are BMIs and what do they tell us about stream health?
How do the physical characteristics of the stream affect the
living things found there?
How does the water chemistry change down the watershed?
Stream Sample Sites
Methods:
• Habitat Characteristics
• BMI sampling
• Discharge Calculations = (A X V)
• Chemical Analyses
Results
 Similar Discharge and Habitat as a downstream trend
 Low Density of Population of Sensitive Organisms
 Lower density and higher diversity upstream
the opposite relationship downstream
 Moderate Levels of PO4 pollution
Thank You for a FUN filled Week…
And to all the parents for supporting our efforts!!!!!
Dynamic Watershed Researchers
“The Dynamos”
The End