Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Publication Date

2026

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Biology, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Darlene Panvini

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Decomposition is the process of organic matter decaying and nutrients being recycled back into the environment. To study leaf decomposition, litter bags are often used to determine rates of decomposition within an environment. Our study aims to examine how pigment affects decomposition rates. We hypothesize that the leaves with different pigments, such as carotenoids, anthocyanins, and xanthophylls, decompose at a higher rate. This experiment took place at the JAAC green roof at Belmont University between September 1st and November 17th. We collected two different sample species, Sugar Maple and Japanese Maple, from around Belmont, collecting fifty-six grams of leaves total, and created sixteen litter bags for the drying process. Bags were strung together using fishing line and placed on the Janet Ayers fifth-floor green roof, where they would be left for organisms to decompose. The significance of this project is to see how the soil microbiome reacts to the differing pigmentation within the decaying leaves. This can help determine what kinds of plants would help the environmental microbiome thrive due to the symbiotic relationships the soil-bound organisms have in decomposition. More trees with higher levels of pigment could affect the rate of decomposition and therefore alter the landscape.

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