How the Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Belle Forest Cave and Arboretum Soil Dictates Tree Species Prevalence

Authors

Amya A. BinghamFollow

Publication Date

Spring 4-2025

Presentation Length

Poster/Gallery presentation

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Biology, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

SPARK Category

Research

Faculty Advisor

Ross Andrew

SPARK Session

Poster: 10:15-11:45 for Biology and Environmental Science Department

Presentation Type

Poster

Summary

A plethora of factors in the soil impact a plant’s health, including the presence of different biotic and abiotic factors. These include things like temperature, elevation, pH, microbial respiration and the presence of water, clay, loam, silt, sand, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. Different soils will have varying amounts of these, which may dictate what is able to grow in them, and therefore also the surrounding area. This research project explores how the aforementioned biotic and abiotic factors affect the soil at the Belle Forest Cave and Arboretum. Three samples will be taken from four spots along a transect at this location, for a total of 12. Samples sites are located at the top of the hill, at the midpoint, at the base, and father away from the base near a spot that often has running water. It is expected that as the elevation decreases and the closer to water the soil is, the higher the nutrient availability will be, with the exception of soil directly under areas where water is most frequent. This is because of the limited amount of aerobic activity able to occur in wet soil. Methods to analyze soil include the Li-Cor Li-1800 for gas exchange, the ribbon test, moisture and temperature probe, and tests for Nitrogen, Potassium, and Phosphorus levels. The soil quality and nutrient availability will provide insight as to why there are certain tree species present at different places within the site as well as how the landscape may play a role in the presence of these factors.

Recommended Citation

Bingham, Amya A., "How the Biotic and Abiotic Factors in the Belle Forest Cave and Arboretum Soil Dictates Tree Species Prevalence" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 72.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/72

Comments

Thanks! :)