By Jennie Consalvo, Tiffani Rushford, Andre Selino, Michelle Cavalieri
Students Veronica, Alexus, Rob and Sarah set out to figure out what the heck invasive plants are doing to the soil. Using rapid test soil test kits, these blooming scientists set out to see how the invasive plants change soil pH and affect the growth of nearby native species. This group spent several weeks growing native pumpkin species just to find out that the invasive species soil is a bully and inhibited their growth. Invasive soil was getting rough on our native fellas and affected the way our native plant buds grow. The invasive plant mob made the pH of the soil all out of whack and uncomfortable for our pumpkin buddies. The truth is that nature doesn’t vouch for anyone. There is no geneva conventions in the war between native and invasive species.
