Moss decomposition and nutrient cycling in Maritime Antarctic soil

Student First Name

Jared

Student Last Name

Rusnak

School Affiliation (multiple allowed)

School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences

Is the research affiliated with NCUIRE

Yes

Project Description

An investigation to the rate and driving forces of moss decomposition in Maritime Antarctica. We made 72 incubation chambers which we have destructively sampled the moss and the soil inside to test for changes in nutrient composition and mass over time. We have also measured soil microbe respiration rates to determine rate of decomposition. The incubations were split into multiple treatments of starting moss nutrient content, incubation temperature, and soil nutrients, to best determine the driving factors for the decomposition of Maritime Antarctica's most important terrestrial primary producer.