The effects of plant succession and ant nest on soil organic matter and soil moisture
Abstract
An earthflow that occurred in Gunnison County, Colorado created a natural laboratory to study plant succession. Plant succession and ants can effect the soil composition of grounds left bare and depleted of organic matter by the landslide. This study was conducted to examine if the described successional pathway and ant nests changed soil composition in the landslide. The study revealed that the described successional pathway increased soil organic content if it begins from bare ground and ends with possible climax community. Pioneer species did not initially contribute to a significant change on soil organic content. Ant nests, on the other hand, do increase soil organic content. Moisture results reveal that all sites differ in soil moisture and soil moisture retention. Observe interactions between ants and pioneer species has also raised question on the importance of insect and plant interaction during succession.
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