Student Research Conference
Conference Year
January 2020
Abstract
Wetlands provide a numerous ecosystem services such as flood management, sediment capture, wildlife habitat and recreation (Mitsch et al. 2012). Wetlands have been increasingly valued for carbon (C) sequestration and water quality benefits including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) attenuation (Mitsch et al. 2014). The State of Vermont and non-profit organizations are currently seeking nature-based solutions (Albert et al., 2017) to meet P reductions required by the EPA’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Lake Champlain (US EPA, 2016). However, it is unclear whether such systems are net P sources or sinks, and no prior studies in the basin have specifically investigated the relationship between C sequestration and P retention. This connection is likely important because significant amounts of P can accumulate and be retained in soil organic matter. This project sets out to determine if phosphorus in soil organic matter is stable or potentially releasable. Enzyme activity and ratios of C:P can indicate scarcity of nutrients. My research will investigate how hydrologic setting and organic matter relate to the availability and stability of P in restored riparian wetlands by quantifying pools of C and P, along with enzyme activity. The data produced in this project will be used in ongoing efforts in Dr. Eric Roy’s lab to quantify and model P retention in restored riparian wetlands in Vermont.
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Eric Roy
Graduate Student Mentors
Adrian Wiegman
Faculty/Staff Collaborators
Adrian Wiegman (Graduate student mentor), Dr. Eric Roy (Faculty Advisor)
Status
Undergraduate
Student College
Rubenstein School of Environmental and Natural Resources
Program/Major
Natural Resources
Primary Research Category
Engineering & Physical Sciences
Student Research Conference
Wetlands provide a numerous ecosystem services such as flood management, sediment capture, wildlife habitat and recreation (Mitsch et al. 2012). Wetlands have been increasingly valued for carbon (C) sequestration and water quality benefits including nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) attenuation (Mitsch et al. 2014). The State of Vermont and non-profit organizations are currently seeking nature-based solutions (Albert et al., 2017) to meet P reductions required by the EPA’s total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Lake Champlain (US EPA, 2016). However, it is unclear whether such systems are net P sources or sinks, and no prior studies in the basin have specifically investigated the relationship between C sequestration and P retention. This connection is likely important because significant amounts of P can accumulate and be retained in soil organic matter. This project sets out to determine if phosphorus in soil organic matter is stable or potentially releasable. Enzyme activity and ratios of C:P can indicate scarcity of nutrients. My research will investigate how hydrologic setting and organic matter relate to the availability and stability of P in restored riparian wetlands by quantifying pools of C and P, along with enzyme activity. The data produced in this project will be used in ongoing efforts in Dr. Eric Roy’s lab to quantify and model P retention in restored riparian wetlands in Vermont.