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Harvard Forest Research Project 2024
- Title: Soil physical and microbial variation along an urbanization gradient
- Principal investigator: Matthew Kaufman (mkaufman1@worcester.edu)
- Institution: Worcester State University
- Primary contact: Matthew Kaufman (mkaufman1@worcester.edu)
- Team members: Matthew Kaufman
- Abstract:
Urban soils are subject to anthropogenic perturbations integrated along hillslope transport pathways from hilltops to valley bottoms. Hydrologic and mass wasting processes transport organic carbon, nutrients, and sediments downslope. These processes are influenced by urbanization, as is the hillslope water chemistry. We hypothesize that urban regions are more prone to removal of fine-grained sediments from the hillslope and hilltop, contain less-diverse organic material, and a less-diverse community of microbes when compared to forested regions. Additionally, we hypothesize that urbanized hillslopes show less variation from hilltop to valley bottom when compared to forested regions.
To test these hypotheses, we will sample soils from hilltop, hillslope, and valley-bottom sites in three different regions in central-western Massachusetts across an urbanization gradient. In each region, the valley bottom samples will be collected in lowlying areas of the Hinckley loamy sand, while the hillslope and hilltop samples will be collected in respective areas of Chatfield series soils. In other respects the sampling locations of the three regions will be as similar as possible. Sampling will take place in late april/may 2024, and will involve the two PIs and undergraduate students. MONet will provide an integrated suite of data types that we will use to evaluate these hypotheses. It will also allow us to compare and contrast our results to those from other soil systems in the future, due to consistent protocols and FAIR data practices. Engaging landowners and stakeholders in the greater Worcester area to help understand and quantify the differences between urbanized and forested region soils will help drive local and regional decision making. Finally, it will provide an opportunity for students not only to learn field practices, but to contribute to a large-scale scientific effort.
