The Ecology of Clermont College Campus

Andrew BrunDan DoranChris Heald

Steven Noble

Professor Janet Stein-Carter

Table of ContentsPAGE TITLE 2 Table of Contents 3 List of Tables and Graphs 4 Abstract 5 Introduction 6 Literature Review 7 Methods and Materials

8 Nitrogen Levels 9 Phosphorus Levels

10 Potassium Levels 11 pH Levels 12 Conclusion 13 Works Cited

List of Tables and Graphs

8 Graph - Nitrogen Levels

9 Graph - Phosphorus Levels

10 Graph - Potassium Levels

11 Graph - pH Levels

PAGE TITLE

Abstract

• Using past nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium tests and pH analysis the differences across five areas of Clermont College’s campus can be identified. The areas tested were Five Falls Creek, Future Wetlands, Maple Creek, Marshy Area, Morel Hill, and West Woods. The analyses of each area showed low levels of nitrogen in all areas except Morel Hil, potassium levels were relatively high in all areas, and the pH appeared stable at around neutral to mildly acidic.

Introduction

• By comparing the various elements found in the soil around campus various factors of the environment can be identified. The relative health of the soil can be found through the levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and pH.

Literature Review

The majority of the methods for performing this experiment were obtained from the UC Clermont Ecology website. Much of the experimental data collected from previous years was used to compliment the data we collected. We used the Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening to draw conclusions about the data collected.

Methods and Materials

• Soil samples were collected over the years at Clermont College from Five Falls Creek, Future Wetlands, Maple Creek, Marshy Area, Morel Hill, and West Woods. Then each component was tested by using a soil analysis test kit which was provided.

Conclusion

• Looking at the data collectively it seems there are a few common trends. The campus seems to posses very low nitrogen levels, and very high potassium levels all around while phosphorus averages about a medium level over all. Nitrogen commonly enters the soil by decomposing plants and animals, and therefore it is unusual to have low nitrogen levels in such areas (Carr et. al, 1985). Potassium is normally found due to surrounding minerals of the area, and this area is high in varying types of minerals which most likely results in the high potassium level in the data.

• It appears that the surrounding environment of Clermont College is thriving, but maybe more is going on than meets the eyes. The soil analysis shows that some nutrients aren’t as high as one would want them to be, but maybe for the type of plant life in these areas high levels aren’t entirely necessary.

Work Cited• Carter, J. Stein. Cumulative Ecological Data for the Clermont

College Campus [Internet]. Batavia (OH): Clermont College; c1995 [modified 2008 Jun 8; cited 2009 May 8]. Available from:

http://biology.clc.uc.edu/courses/bio303/index.htm

• Carr, Anna. Mary Chauner, William Hylton, Steven W. Smyser, Carol Stoner, Michael Stoner, Roger B. Yepsen, Jr. The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening. Emmaus (PA): Rodale Press; 1985.