|
author |
Michelle Lombardi
| title |
The Effects of Urban Agriculture on Soil Quality
| abstract |
As urban agriculture becomes more popular, it becomes increasingly important to
evaluate the effect it is having on soil quality, ultimately influencing crop production, as well as
surrounding communities. In conjunction with this, having a good understanding of the
definition of "sustainable agriculture" and the practices that fall under its umbrella allow us to
create more functional and supportive agricultural systems. The objective of this study is to
examine the symbiotic relationship of how sustainable urban farming is affecting soils, as well as
how the heterogeneity of soil can influence agricultural design and function. The organic urban
farm Grow It Green (GIG) located in Morristown, New Jersey was used as a case study, not only
because of its sustainable practices and research potential, but also because it showcases how
valuable these farms can be for providing community resources and opportunities. In order to
measure overall soil quality, the physical, chemical, and microbial parameters were all measured
through a variety of both field and lab tests. Because this study is the first of its kind at this
location, it will serve as baseline data for which future research can refer and compare to.
| school |
The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University
| degree |
B.S. (2024)
|
advisor |
Shagufta Gaffar
|
committee |
Mary-Ann Pearsall Jacob Soule
|
full text | MLombardi.pdf |
| |