Comparison of Soil from Deciduous and Coniferous Environments

• Christopher Hartman

  Juniata College

  Author

• Mason Schaefer

  Juniata College

  Author

One of the most important aspects of plant development is the quality and health of the soil in which a plant resides in. Plants rely on the soil for nutrients, as well as a source of ground water. Soil pH is another relevant factor in determining plant health, playing an important role in what nutrients are available to plants. A specific range of pH values are generally preferred by certain plants. These factors can play major roles in the distribution of species in terms of both range and density in an area. What this study aims to answer is if there is a significant difference in these metrics between coniferous and deciduous trees Groupings of said tree types were found in a centralized area and soil samples were taken from the surrounding ground for moisture and pH level testing. These values were compared to determine if there is correlation between moisture and pH in the types of trees present. Trees are essential to the ecosystem and that begins with the soil. Understanding the soil composition and the uses in tree distribution allows a deeper understanding of ecological communities.

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