Faculty Sponsor(s)
Nancy Broshot
Location
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Subject Area
Environmental Studies: Science Focus
Description
Previous studies have shown significantly more seedlings and saplings at control sites above Estacada, Oregon than in Forest Park. In an attempt to determine possible reasons for the lack of young trees in the urban forest, we measured the depth of the O horizon, as well as soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and CO2 (as a measure of respiration rate) in soil at multiple sites. We found significantly deeper O2 horizons at the control sites relative to the sites in any section of Forest Park. We also found significantly higher levels of C and higher C/N ratio at the control sites. We did not find significant differences among the level of soil respiration but did see a tendency for higher levels at the control sites.
Recommended Citation
Broshot, Nancy; Cooksy, Hayden; Taylor, Tatiana; and Hanson, Wes, "A Comparison of Urban Soil to Rural Soils" (2017). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 8.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2017/all/8
A Comparison of Urban Soil to Rural Soils
Jereld R. Nicholson Library: Grand Avenue
Previous studies have shown significantly more seedlings and saplings at control sites above Estacada, Oregon than in Forest Park. In an attempt to determine possible reasons for the lack of young trees in the urban forest, we measured the depth of the O horizon, as well as soil Carbon, Nitrogen, and CO2 (as a measure of respiration rate) in soil at multiple sites. We found significantly deeper O2 horizons at the control sites relative to the sites in any section of Forest Park. We also found significantly higher levels of C and higher C/N ratio at the control sites. We did not find significant differences among the level of soil respiration but did see a tendency for higher levels at the control sites.
