Soil pH trends in a sagebrush meadow and Ponderosa pine ecosystem

1. The acidification effect of Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) needles on soil pH was tested by sampling and measuring pH of soil in areas with ponderosa pine needle litter and without. 2. A total of three depth classes for five samples in each category of pine needles present and absent were collected and analyzed. 3. Statistical analysis of pH data did not indicate statistically significant differences between depth classes and presence or absence of pine needles. 4. A comparison with other studies indicates that there are inconsistent trends in different ecosystems with pH and soil depth. 5. Synthesis. Multiple factors such as human influence, mineral composition, and decomposing litter can acidify soil while mineral balance and fire act as buffering agents. A comparison of the pH of soil at different depths with the presence and absence of ponderosa pine needle litter found no statistically significant differences. The study still recommends continuous monitoring of soil pH given the human factors and park management which may contribute to acidification of soil in Ponderosa State Park.