Tensile Strength of Malosma Laurina Leaves in Wet and Dry Conditions

Pepperdine University is one located in one of the most diverse places of the world. It is located in the Mediterranean which occupies less than 5% of the earth\u27s landmass and is only found in five areas which includes California. On the campus there are several canyons. One of the canyons is called Winter Canyon. The canyon contained a plant called Malosma laurina which is located in a riparian environment and a chaparral environment. The plant grows in both areas however, our hypothesis was that the dry plants\u27 leaves would demonstrate more plasticity. The soil humidity was also measured to compare the difference between the two and there was a significant difference. The average humidity for the wet soil was 43.5% and the dry was 22.5%. Our hypothesis was proven to be true after analyzing the results of the instron machine. The tensile strength was higher among dry leaves