Date of Submission

Spring 2020

Academic Program

Biology

Project Advisor 1

Cathy Collins

Abstract/Artist's Statement

Worms can alter soil nutrient dynamics in forest systems but the exact mechanisms, and the consequences for plants growing in those soils remains unknown. The goal of my senior project is to assess whether Asian jumping worms, Amynthas agrestis, an invasive worm that has recently arrived in New York, alters soil in ways that can influence the biomass of plants.

I grew four species of plants with known AMF properties in both soil treatments -- soils that contained Asian jumping worms for two months (now removed), and soils completely free of worms. After seeing that plants could grow in my soils I planted Helianthus annuus in both soil treatments. After 2 months, I compared the biomass of plants in each treatment.

This project is important because it will improve the knowledge on the effects of Amynthas agrestis as an invasive species and how they affect vascular plants with AMF. I predict that soils previously infected by Amynthas agrestis will have lower plant biomass due to nutrient and fungi limitations from worm consumption in the soils. Suggesting that Amynthas agrestis colonization strips soils of nutrients reducing their biomass and ability to flourish.

Open Access Agreement

On-Campus only

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
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