Connecting

Kids to Local

Science

LEAF LITTER

DECOMPOSITION IN THE

MELNHE STANDS

Rick Biche

RET

A. Crosby Kennett Middle School

Teacher

Tangible data (mass

loss)

Nutrient limitation age

appropriate concept

Species id and litter

bag construction

Researcher

N -> Higher N increases litter mass loss (Fog 1988) but not always (Knorr et al 2005)

Little information on P

Arthropods -> Varied effects (Schmitz 2010)

Litter from young stand species should decompose faster based individual species rate data from Melillo et al 1982

WHAT CONTROLS LITTER MASS LOSS?

Teacher

Authentic science

Local science

Real Scientists

Researcher

Hypotheses

Co-limitation of litter mass loss

Arthropods will increase litter mass loss

Young stand species mix will lose mass faster than mature stand mix

WHAT CONTROLS LITTER MASS LOSS?

4 stands

N, P, N&P, and Control

2 mesh sizes 2 mm

63 µm

2 litter mixes Young: American Beech,

Red Maple, Pin Cherry, White Birch

Mature: American Beech, Sugar Maple, Yellow Birch

Collections June 12, 2013

Fall 2013

Summer 2014

METHODS

MIX AND MESH

Nutrients p=0.02

Mesh p<0.001

Nutrient X Mesh p=0.05

Nutrients p=0.02

Mesh p<0.001

Nutrient X Mesh p=0.05

Con vs. P p=0.01

Teacher

Middle school students

can do science!

Researcher

Beginning to see a P effect on litter mass loss

Microarthropodsslowing initial litter mass loss

Initial litter mass loss more rapid for young stand litter (Pin Cherry?)

CONCLUSIONS

The 100 students of Team 2 at A. Crosby Kennett Middle

School and Sean Littlefield for f ield help

Ruth Yanai, Craig See, Adam Wild and the many members of

the Shoestring crew

NSF Grant Proposal # DEB 0949324

Supplement by RET 2013 (1314909)

Hubbard Brook Research Foundation RET 2012

Photosh t t p : / / h b r. l te rn et .ed u/ even ts/ p a s t _event s . h t m

h t t p : / / h u bb a rd b ro ok .b lo gs . p ly m ou t h . ed u /2009/07/ 09/ pr esent a t io n - m a gg ie - z im m er - an d -ka t ie -

h a r vey /

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS