Analysis of Soil Health following the Conversion of Boreal Forest to Agriculture in Northern Ontario

The purpose of this project is to assess the impact of forest land clearing practices for agricultural production on boreal soil health, using the soil health assessment developed at Cornell University. Using soil samples collected in Northern Ontario, a soil health assessment will be conducted to determine soil function under both relatively undisturbed soil forest conditions and agricultural fields, by comparing biological indicators (soil organic matter, active carbon, soil protein index, and soil respiration). The expected outcomes are to understand the relationships between farm management practices and soil health and how they may change due to land clearing. Also, this research will be the base for future long-term soil monitoring that can help forecast and develop models that mitigate and build soil resilience in light of changing climate conditions. Secondary project objectives are to build soil health assessment capacity and initiate further collaboration with the Soil Health Lab at Cornell.

Faculty Supervisor:

Brian Mclaren

Student:

Partner:

Cornell University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Natural Resources; Sustainability & the Environment

University:

Lakehead University

Program: