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DROUGHT EFFECTS ON SOIL CARBON OF NORTH GEORGIA**

Abstract

A global increase of carbon dioxide leads to climate change including droughts and other severe weather. Studies have reviewed the effects that drought has on soil carbon and concluded uncertain effects dependent upon factors such as ecosystem type and both drought intensity and duration. This experiment was conducted in order to examine the effects of drought on soil carbon, a key component of soil fertility. Three locations of different soil texture (clay, loam, and sand dominant) adjacent to Young Harris College (Georgia) property were manipulated with reduced precipitation. Rain-out shelters were installed at locations with polyvinyl shower curtains tucked into shallow trenches. After one month of simulated drought, soil carbon dioxide flux and both total soil organic matter and mineral associated organic matter were measured. The assessment of these factors will help determine the movement of carbon and begin to understand how this will have long term impacts on soil fertility. This work is ongoing and will be completed in early 2024.

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