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Proposal Presentation

Erin Axeman, Angelina Sherba, Nicole Barclay, Jevaun Thaxton

Question

How does different decomposing leaf species affect earthworm growth based on their nitrogen and phosphorous composition?

Leaves with more nitrogen and phosphorous will help the worms grow bigger. The soil bed with a combination of all leaf types will grow the biggest worms.

Materials

• Earthworms
• Containers for soil and worms (4)
• Soil
• Leech system
• Three leaf species
• scale/ruler/measuring devices for worms

Experimental Design

• Create plots of soil to collect three different leaf species.
• Purchase earthworms.
• Take initial measurements of earthworms.
• Create soil beds for earthworms to live in.
• Crush decomposing leaves on top of soil. (1 for each leaf species and one with combination of all species)
• Put earthworms in plots with approximately five in each one.
• Take weekly measurements of length and weight of worms.
• Create leech of each leaf species to determine nitrogen and phosphorous levels.