Tasnova Adrita
Research Mentor(s): David Wilkerson-Lindsey
Mentor Department: Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Tasnova Adrita, David Wilkerson-Lindsey
Session: Session 1 (9:00am – 9:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 78
Abstract
Our research site for this project is Gran Batey, a coffee plantation located in central Puerto Rico. In previous years, this farm has operated as a commercial polyculture, utilizing heavy amounts of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. However, the farm is currently transitioning to more agroecological production methods by planting shade trees. These trees increase structural diversity within this agroecosystem by creating a canopy, shading the understory, and creating a layer of leaf litter on the soil surface. In this experiment, we used a two-factorial design, manipulating shade and leaf litter to investigate their impact on the diversity and community assembly of surface-dwelling arthropods. Over a 6 week period, we sampled arthropod communities through pitfall traps and weekly leaf litter filtration, Arthropods were photographed and identified into functional groups in the lab. While we are still in the process of data analysis, preliminary findings show increased diversity associated with litter additions. This work will exhibit the benefits of incorporating shade trees into coffee production, supporting the movement for agroecology, and reducing farmer reliance on ecologically damaging agrochemicals. Additionally, our findings will provide farmers at Gran Batey a model of how the soil surface community may change as these trees mature and alter the conditions on the farm.
