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Access Type
Open Access
Document Type
thesis
Degree Program
Environmental Conservation
Degree Type
Master of Science (M.S.)
Year Degree Awarded
2013
Month Degree Awarded
September
Keywords
vernal pool, redox potential, soil organic matter, soil texture
Abstract
This study looks at relationships along the hydrologic gradient between and within six pools; including the vegetation community, soil characteristics and hydrology. Pool conditions were monitored weekly throughout the 2011 and 2012 growing seasons. Each pool was equipped with permanent platinum-tipped redox probes to quantify the severity and duration of soil reduction. We described and analyzed 12 soil profiles in each pool, distributed in summit/upland, basin, and rim/transition positions as defined by the high water line. The pools were systematically surveyed for understory vegetation during the 2012 growing season.
Vegetation patterns varied between study areas. No clear pattern of unique vegetation was evident from an ordination of the gradient communities. Time series redox potential data showed a visual relationship to water table fluxuation, but also a dampening effect from soil organic matter content in the basin positions.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/4529086
First Advisor
Timothy O Randhir