There was significant changes in the soil of the path in the areas of density, percolation and leaf litter cover. These differences impacted the soil because of the saturation of the soil on the path, the standing puddles and the lack of vegetation. These effects seemed to only extend a meter from the path. There was significant changes in the soil because of direct walking and continued use as a path. This research project has a lot of applications to the typical classroom situation.
All campuses have paths across the grass or off the sidewalks where students tend to walk.
These sites can be the test sites. The experimental equipment can easily be fashioned from available materials. The penetrometer can be made from a weighted sharpened stick or a sharp metal rod. Weighing containers can be made from aluminum cans. The percolation apparatus was easily made from an aluminum can with the top and bottom removed.