Date of Graduation
5-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering
Degree Level
Undergraduate
Department
Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Advisor/Mentor
Runkle, Benjamin
Committee Member/Reader
Haggard, Brian
Committee Member/Second Reader
Naithani, Kusum
Committee Member/Third Reader
Runkle, Benjamin
Abstract
The overall goal of this study was to provide a measure of the decomposition rate constant on a semi- intensive green roof located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The specific approach chosen was the use of the Tea Bag Index (TBI), a standardized plant litter decomposition test. There was some heterogeneity observed on site and the locations of samples tested were chosen based on this. Additional laboratory tests were conducted in order to determine whether there would be a large impact of temperature on decomposition or if it would be outweighed by other factors. The temperatures compared were 5°C, 20°C, and 30°C. Decomposition data collected in the laboratory test fit to some extent with the exponential decay model suggested (0.9 > P > 0.85). This data suggests a comparable rate of decomposition to other biomes which had been previously studied, which was further supported by samples tested on site. The decomposition rate constants calculated from data collected on site were slightly less than those seen in grasslands or healthy forests but higher than those seen in more arid environments. The stabilization factor was more similar to those seen in sandy soils, which fits with the composition of the engineered soil used. The main recommendation for future research is replication during the summer months, which could confirm the influence of season or temperature on decomposition while further assessing soil health at the site.
Keywords
Tea Bag Index, Decomposition, Green Roof, Decomposition Rate
Citation
LaSalle, E. (2019). Quantifying Litter Decomposition Rates on a Semi-Intensive Green Roof. Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/baeguht/62