Effect of sunlight on biodiversity of soil invertebrates

Effect of sunlight on biodiversity of soil invertebrates Loretta Mc. Namee Undergraduate Student (Environmental Biology Concentration), Department of Biology, Tennessee Tech University , Cookeville, TN 38505

Project Summary o Objective: To examine biodiversity in soil invertebrates in two distinct communities; canopy and open ground. o Question: Does the exposure to sunlight affect the soil biodiversity in two distinct communities. o Hypothesis: the canopy community will have a more diverse selection of soil invertebrate o Null hypothesis: no difference in the biodiversity of soil invertebrate o Goal: how each environment incorporates biodiveristy of soil invertebrates.

Introduction o What is biodiversity? o Very important starting point to explaining patterns of community dynamics and structure o Soil Invertebrates are detritivores. o Influence many soil properties, which influence above -ground plant abundance

Introduction continued… o o o Studies suggest presence of plants affect soil communities They provide nutrients that organisms need to survive (Dunfield, K. E. , and Germida, J. J. 2003. Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on Soil and Plant Associated Microbial Communities. Journal of Environmental Quality. 33: 799 -804. )

Objective o o o To examine biodiversity in soil invertebrates in two distinct communities. canopy communities open ground communities

Hypothesis o o Hypothesis: I predict that the canopy community will have a more diverse selection of soil invertebrate; therefore it will show more soil biodiversity. Null Hypothesis: there is no difference in biodiversity of soil invertebrate in the two communities.

Methods o o Materials used 4 samples from each community, 3 collections (24 total) Collect and name invertebrate Perform statistical testing on the data found

Statistical Tests performed 1. T-test: tests the hypothesis that two population means are different 2. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test: compares the distribution of the two habitats o Sources: t-test and Kolmogorov-Smirnov Test

Expected Results: advantages o o o Comparing two distinct communities Can use many statistical tests to help create evidence for conclusion Would give solid evidence showing biodiversity in soil invertebrate

Benefits o o Give insight to world of soil invertebrate that often get overlooked show which community is best suited to create a working/healthy habitat

Budget o Materials: $85. 00 o Transportation: $45. 00 o Electricity: $20. 00 o TOTAL: $150. 00