The Effects of Elevated The Effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide on Carbon Dioxide on MicroarthropodsMicroarthropods

Jarret M. Childers. Undergraduate at Jarret M. Childers. Undergraduate at Northern Arizona University. Northern Arizona University.

Environmental Science: Management.Environmental Science: Management.

Carbon DioxideCarbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide (COCarbon dioxide (CO22) emitted from use of ) emitted from use of fossil fuelsfossil fuels

Large player in Large player in climate change climate change

Emissions expected Emissions expected to continueto continue

Varied impacts Varied impacts on ecosystemson ecosystems

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MicroarthropodsMicroarthropods

Very small yet importantVery small yet important Nutrient cyclesNutrient cycles Decomposition cyclesDecomposition cycles

Extremely abundantExtremely abundant

Dependent on other parts of systemDependent on other parts of system Roots, fungi, limiting nutrientsRoots, fungi, limiting nutrients

Photo by Dr. Bruce Hungate

1mm

Study SiteStudy Site

Merrit Island National Wildlife Refuge, FLMerrit Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL 16 chambers; 8 ambient (378ppm) and 8 16 chambers; 8 ambient (378ppm) and 8

elevated (796ppm)elevated (796ppm) Post fire (regeneration)Post fire (regeneration) Heavily studiedHeavily studied

General increase in General increase in plant productivityplant productivity

Low nutrientsLow nutrients Adverse and Adverse and

extreme conditionsextreme conditions

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Photo by Dr. Bruce Hungate

HypothesisHypothesis

Microarthropod abundance Microarthropod abundance

will increase when exposed will increase when exposed

to elevated COto elevated CO2 2

With increase inWith increase in

plant productivityplant productivity

Laboratory MethodsLaboratory Methods

Dissecting microscope Dissecting microscope Sort thousands ofSort thousands of

microarthropodsmicroarthropods Very time consumingVery time consuming

Statistical analysisStatistical analysis One way ANOVAOne way ANOVA

ResultsResults

Data indicate no major influence of COData indicate no major influence of CO22

p= 0.84

Soil

ResultsResults

Photo by Dr. Bruce Hungate

Soil

ResultsResults

Arthropod abundance highest in litter andArthropod abundance highest in litter andtop soil layer (0-10cm)top soil layer (0-10cm)

DiscussionDiscussion

What are other factorsWhat are other factors RootsRoots Soil FungiSoil Fungi Environmental factorsEnvironmental factors

Sampling Sampling

Continuation of projectContinuation of project Other studies in different ecosystemsOther studies in different ecosystems

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AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Dr. Catherine GehringDr. Catherine Gehring

Todd WojtowiczTodd Wojtowicz

Dr. Bruce HungateDr. Bruce Hungate

NASA Space Grant ProgramNASA Space Grant Program

Questions/Comments?Questions/Comments?

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