First Advisor
Jen Morse
Date of Award
12-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science and University Honors
Department
Environmental Science and Management
Language
English
Subjects
urban ecology, urban soil, landscaping
Abstract
Urban soils can play a key role in flood mitigation, water filtration, and supporting urban plant communities, however many are highly disturbed due to development and management practices. Although full recovery will take time (centuries), in the short term managing soils in ways that conserve organic matter inputs and promote nutrient cycling can support important soil functions and likely promote long term development. To understand how landscaping impact soil development on PSU campus, organic matter content, moisture content, and respiration rates were measured in soils from four area types with different long term weed management strategies (mulch- M; sustained plant ground cover- GC; just weeding- JW; and no management NM). Soil respiration was controlled largely by moisture content (R2= 0.73). Mulch and plant ground cover were best at conserving added water which was reflected in higher respiration rates despite organic matter showing few significant differences. Over more time it is likely that organic matter accumulation would change more between management strategies and become more closely correlated with moisture and respiration.
Recommended Citation
Lundgren, Fry, "Landscaping Impacts on Urban Soil Development" (2024). University Honors Theses. Paper 1574.