Which local soil

is most effective?
Sampling soils around Garnet Valley High School campus.

Evan Fenster and Scott Lehrfeld

05.29.2019
AP Environmental Science

 
INTRODUCTION

People often use plants that look nice, but they might not always be right for the

ecosystem they are placed in. Soil is an extremely valuable resource and it is important that

plants have the type of soil that they need. Soils can vary in many different ways. Each

variation is a unique combination of clay, sand, humus, and other organic materials. One soil

might be perfect for one type of plant, but detrimental to another. The pH value is also important.

A neutral soil sample would have a pH of 7, but many soils, especially in eastern Pennsylvania,

can range between 5.5-7.2 (Mehl). The surrounding environment is also vital to a plant’s

success. For example, the slope of a trail can affect a plant’s success at surviving. The

surrounding animals, plants, and human activity also play a role. Not every plant can survive in

any type of environment, and soil is one of the main reasons.

Invasive species can be detrimental to an ecosystem. The worst case scenario is that they

directly prevent the success of many other species in the area. They may also cause smaller

negative side effects that are not visible at first. For example, an invasive plant species may take

up more nutrients than natives do. Therefore, the introduction of the invasive species would

detract from the available resources that native species can use. Overall, invasive species can

lead to unpredictable actions that the ecosystem is not accustomed for. Native species are

already accustomed to their ecosystem. The soil is a much better match for the native plants.

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 Soil surveys were first taken in 1899, and the first one in Pennsylvania was in

Lancaster County in 1900, which was published in 1901. In 1927, the Bureau of Chemistry and

Soils was founded as more research became devoted to soil studies and how they impact our

ecosystems. By the late 1920s, soil erosion was being recognized nationwide as a serious

problem. People began to realize how important soil is in providing a healthy environment for

plants to prosper. In 1934, 40 erosion experiment stations were formed around the United States

(Eckenrode and Ciolkosz). Since then, soil studies have only increased.

USGS Soil Survey also has information concerning soil types across the United States.

There are about five different soil types on Garnet Valley High School campus. Each one is

similar to the others, but is slightly different. GeB takes up about 43.4% of the area, by far the

most on campus. GeB3 is next with 25.3%, then GeC3 with 18.5%, and finally GnB2 and GeC2

with 8.1% and 4.6%. This allows certain plants to grow better in different areas around school.

Native plants usually grow better in these locations that invasive species do. However, this

concept will be tested in the following experiment.

HYPOTHESIS

If we plant seeds in various native soils, then plant sizes will vary across the different soil types.

MATERIALS

1. Potting soil

2. GnB2 soil

3. GeC2 soil

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 4. GeB soil

5. GeC3 soil

6. GeB3 soil

7. Water

8. 6 containers with 3 vats each

9. Soil sampling cork

10. Pipet

11. Light source

12. Ruler

13. Shovel

14. Light source timer

PROCEDURE

1. Use cork to collect soil of the five different types around the school campus

a. GnB2

b. GeC2

c. GeB

d. GeC3

e. GeB3

2. Place into 5 different containers with 3 vats each

3. Create a control soil in a separate container with 3 vats in it

a. Potting soil from a store

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 4. Plant 5 seeds in each vat

5. Water each day with 1 mL in each container

6. Measure growth each day

DATA

RESULTS

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 The results of the experiment varied among the different soil samples. First, our control

showed steady and quick growth. The control grew logistically and the plants were healthy. In

the GeC3 soil, the plants did not grow after 3 days. The plants eventually grew somewhat, but

they were not healthy, with discolored leaves. There were small brown dots covering the leaves.

In the GnB2 soil, the plants had a good start and continued to grow healthy and tall. The plants

had straight strong stems. GeB3 soil had a slower start with shorter plants for the first few days.

At the end of the experiment, the plants had shot up and grew similarly to GnB2. GeB was not a

very successful soil, only growing small amounts over the first few days and growing only 80

percent the height of the successful plants. GeC2 was also a soil that had slow growth at the start,

but at the conclusion of the experiment, it had become the most successful of the test soils.

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CONCLUSION

The first trend that can be observed is the growth of plants in the potting soil compared to

the growth of plants in native soil. This shows that native soils do not always have the perfect

conditions for growth. Nutrients can be depleted by nearby plants in the area. The development

in the area can also be one of the causes for decreased plant growth. For example, there were

parking lots surrounding the location from where we took the GeC3 soil sample. This can

prevent water runoff. When it rains, water is unable to sink down in as much abundance due to

the concrete. Groundwater sits on the surface or runs into sewers. Underground aquifers cannot

be restored and start to get depleted. Runoff water often brings nutrients to the plants, such as

phosphorus and nitrogen, both crucial elements required by soil. When these nutrients are

unable to reach the soil, their quality decreases and plants are unable to grow as well in them.

There are benefits to using native plants, however. Native plants help to maintain

biodiversity within an ecosystem. They also are not invasive. Invasive plants can be detrimental

to an ecosystem. They disrupt the lives of other plants and decrease biodiversity. A lack of

biodiversity can damage an ecosystem. Biodiversity is important as it makes an ecosystem

resilient. If a disaster were to strike, it is important that there is a decent amount of genetic

diversity/variation in the ecosystem. This increases the chance that the ecosystem can survive a

disaster. Invasive plants decrease the genetic diversity and therefore hurt the ecosystem overall.

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 One of the significant successes in the trials was with the GeC2 soil which was taken

from the field area across from the tennis courts. This area has not had nearly as much human

contact or development. When the soil was retrieved from this area, it was tough and not broken

down. Due to this, the plants in the soil took more time to establish roots in the soil. Once the

roots were established, they were able to harness the abundant resources in the untapped soil and

were the most successful radish plants. Unlike the other soil tested, GeC2 was not affected by

humans, and the results showed in the plant growth.

Plants growing in GnB2 and GeB3 did not grow the largest or the smallest; they were

about in the middle. Both areas containing these soils were in areas with nearby vegetation.

This can both help and harm the soil. With nearby vegetation, it can help to improve the soil.

As plants die, they decompose and can bring nutrients back into the soil from decomposers.

However, vegetation can also harm the plants growing in nearby soil. If a large tree is nearby, it

can provide shade, but also absorb much of the nutrients in the area, leaving less for other plants.

This phenomenon can explain why radish seeds in GnB2 and GeB3 did average when compared

with other soils.

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 References

Eckenrode, J. J., & Ciolkosz, E. J. (1999). ​Pennsylvania soil survey the first 100 years.​

University Park.

Hubbard, P. T. (2019, May 10). Go native: A garden with native plants is beneficial and

beautiful. Retrieved May 30, 2019, from Pocono Record website:

https://www.poconorecord.com/entertainmentlife/20190510/go-native-garden-with-nativ

e-plants-is-beneficial-and-beautiful

Keystone conservation​ [Pamphlet]. (1977). U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Mehl, G. (2011). ​A gardener's guide to native plants of northeastern pennsylvania.​

Web Soil Survey,​ websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx.

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