A population study of insect leaf litter and plant communities was conducted to determine effects of American toad (Bufo americanus) populations on upland forest growth. A enclosure of 8, 10m x 10m quadrants with 3 densities of toads (0, 10, 30) added in replicate was created and used as the test site. By taking population counts of plants and leaf litter arthropod communities over the span of three months, the trophic cascade effect of the predator was determined.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Nelson, Jason Phillip

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 02C007M

Advisor

• Robakiewicz, Philip E.

Year

• 2002

Date created

• 2002-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright