Department or Program

Environmental Studies

Abstract

Soil characteristics are the foundation of forest and agricultural productivity. Therefore, understanding how soils change as a reflection of changing landscapes is essential for sustainable management. Valley View Farm is a small, multi use farm in central southern Maine, which seeks to balance conservation and successful farming in terms of providing for the owner and the surrounding community. There are a variety of management practices across the farm, but three distinct areas were examined: the Older Forest, which has been only minimally managed for the last 100 years; the Newer Forest, which was selectively logged 15 years ago and left as a forest; and the Wet Pasture, which was clear cut 15 years ago to establish an open pasture area. By comparing the initial soil characteristics (texture, color, O horizon depth), pH, soil moisture, mycorrhizal fungi inoculation, percent carbon and nitrogen, isotopic carbon and nitrogen values, and cation exchange capacity among these three land use areas, the large influences of biomass removal and interruption of previous nutrient cycling was observed. The change in types of inputs between the larger, deciduous Older Forest, the more coniferous Newer Forest, and the grasses and introduction of domesticated animals on the Wet Pasture was integral in changing soil quality. Specifically, in the Older Forest, %C and %N were much higher, with median values of 47.0 and 1.6 compared to 13.2 and 0.4 in the Newer Forest, and 8.4 and 0.5 in the Wet Pasture. There was also a higher percentage of roots inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi in the Older Forest. These data point to lower soil organic matter content, which has a cascade of effects including lower cation exchange capacity and nutrient retention, and soil stability. Data findings generally aligned with the base knowledge of the current farmer, affirming her lived experiences and her hopes for the future of the farm. Across all three land uses, the observed soil characteristics were due to synergistic interactions among the amount and type of source material, and the quantity and rates of processes such as decomposition or nitrogen cycling. These interactions, and therefore the current soil qualities and what they might evolve to become, determine the possibilities for future land use, whether that is agricultural production, forest continuity, and/or biodiversity maintenance.

Level of Access

Restricted: Embargoed [Open Access After Expiration]

First Advisor

Holly Ewing

Date of Graduation

5-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Number of Pages

59

Community Engagement

1

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