After data collected on amphibian and invertebrate diversity as well as water quality, the hypotheses were not supported. The data collected showed that amphibian and invertebrate diversity was greater in the vernal pond. After interpretation of the nutrient levels, we found that overall water quality for both ponds provided a healthy environment for the aquatic organisms. Statistical analysis is needed to further analyze the data on water quality. However, the collected data does support other research studies, supporting the need for temporary wetlands as a means of preserving biodiversity.
Further research is needed on the effects of land development on vernal ponds and similar wetlands.
Comparative Analysis of Soil Quality in Brandywine State Creek Park vs. the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Kelli Baravordeh, Kelli Hursh, and Matthew Lenhardt. Soil is defined as the naturally deposited plethora of material which encases the earth's surface and whose chemical, physical, and biological composition are able to support plant growth. Hence, soil analysis and testing are major management tools that aid in conserving and preserving this natural resource. The hypothesis generated for this study predicts that the soil quality will be better in Brandywine than in the Pine Barrens, merely based on dominant plant understory that the research team observed.