Decomposition Rates of Native (Indigo) vs Non-Native (Cosmos) Plants

Authors

Siobhan DayFollow
Emily L. GarnerFollow
Carmyn HarrisonFollow
Corinne ParkerFollow
Angela D. PanviniFollow

Publication Date

11-25-2024

College

Sciences and Mathematics, College of

Department

Biology, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Angela Panvini

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Decomposition is a crucial step in the cycling and recycling of nutrients in the natural world. As things die, detritivores such as bacteria, protists, and fungi break down the material into organic and inorganic matter, releasing nutrients into the soil to be used by living plants. This study aimed to determine the rate of decomposition of a native plant, Baptisia australis, (Blue False Indigo) compared to a non-native plant, Cosmossulphureus (Cosmos). Eight litterbags filled with Indigo and eight litterbags filled with Cosmos were left to decompose and the rate of decomposition was recorded over a period of eight weeks. Results indicated that the non-native species, Cosmos, decomposed at a faster rate than the native species, Indigo. Future research might seek to determine if a different native species would decompose at a different rate than Indigo, or if a different non-native species would decompose at a different rate than Cosmos.

Recommended Citation

Day, Siobhan; Garner, Emily L.; Harrison, Carmyn; Parker, Corinne; and Panvini, Angela D., "Decomposition Rates of Native (Indigo) vs Non-Native (Cosmos) Plants" (2024). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 193.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/193