Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Research Opportunities
Undergraduate research with the Agroecology Lab
Improving Cover Crop
Mixtures to Reduce Nitrate Loss to the Chesapeake Bay
Course ID: PLSC399 Special Problems in Plant Science
(section 7201)
Instructors: Dr. Kate Tully and Kayla Griffith
Credits: 2-3
Research Question: In
order to meet the 2025 Chesapeake Bay Program goal of a 36% reduction in
agricultural nitrogen in local waterways, farmers are going to have to adopt
Best Management Practices (BMPs). One of the most widely accepted BMPs are
winter cover crops, which are noted for their ability to take up and store
excess soil nitrogen. Although many farmers have adopted the use of cover
crops, the typical management strategy of one species per field may not be the
most effective way to reduce nitrogen leaching. The goal of our study is to
look at cover crop mixtures as a method of more efficiently reducing excess nitrogen,
helping farmers reach the goals set by the CBP.
Course Expectations: The student will participate in a pilot
study looking at competition between different cover crop mixtures that will be
used in a larger soil nitrogen study. With guidance from Dr. Tully and Kayla,
the student will develop a portion of the study as their own project, which
will involve the processing of a subset of samples, exploratory data analysis,
and a write-up at the end of the semester detailing the work you completed.
Previous Experience: Previous lab or field experience is not
required, however, we are looking for a student with a good attitude, attention
to detail, and an interest in soil science and/or agronomy. This is a great
opportunity to gain practical research experience, to explore an exceptionally
timely and important topic in agriculture, and to work as part of a larger
interdisciplinary team of researchers.
Contact information:
Kayla Griffith kmgriffi@umd.edu
Kate Tully kltully@umd.edu
Saltwater
Intrusion and Legacy Nutrient Release on Coastal Farmland
Course ID: PLSC399 Special Problems in Plant Science
(section 7201)
Instructors: Dr. Kate Tully and Dani Weissman
Credits: 2-3
Research Question: Effects
of climate change, such as sea level rise and shifts in weather patterns, can
cause saltwater intrusion. In rural coastal areas, the effects of saltwater
intrusion may alter ecosystem functioning. Forests and crops can die off due to
the slow creep of saltwater inland as well as from large pulses of salt water
from estuaries or oceans during extreme storm events. When saltwater intrusion
occurs along tidal areas near the boundaries of farmland and forests, aerobic
soils transition to anaerobic tidal marsh soils. Agricultural soils that are
shifting from an aerobic to anaerobic state can undergo a series of chemical
exchanges that can free phosphorus and nitrogen stored in the soils from
decades of farming. This has major implications for water quality and nutrient
management in coastal agricultural areas. The goal of this research is to
explore trends in nutrient release due to saltwater intrusion in ecotones where
farmland and forests are transitioning to tidal wetlands.
Course Expectations: The student will assist with water and
soil sample collection and analysis. This may require two to three trips to
Maryland’s lower eastern shore. With guidance from Dr. Tully and Dani, the
student will develop a portion of the study as his/her own project, which will
involve the processing of a subset of samples, exploratory data analysis, and
an end-of-semester report detailing the work completed.
Requirements: No previous lab or field experience is
necessary, as the student will be trained on all required skills during the
semester. The goal of this internship is to provide the student with an
introduction to soils and ecology research. To the effect, the student must have
an interest in ecology and conservation, and like getting dirty!
Contact information:
Dr. Kate Tully kltully@umd.edu
Dani Weissman dweissm1@umd.edu