Urban Barcode Project Team Fly High Dragonflies
Program:
Urban Barcode Project
Year:
2019-20
Research Topic:
Biodiversity & trade
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Animals: Invertebrate

Project:

The Effect of Water Quality and Habitat on Odonate Nymph Species Composition
Students:
Eve Hammerman, Hilary Weisenfeld, Isabel Corb
School:
Ethical Culture Fieldston School, The Bronx
Mentors:
Howard Waldman

Abstract:

This project aims to investigate Odonate diversity in Van Cortlandt Lake in Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx, New York. More specifically, its intent is to discover how water quality and varying habitats affect species richness and diversity. DNA samples from dragonfly (Anisoptera) and damselfly (Zygoptera) nymphs living in a lake, pond, and marsh habitat will be collected and sequenced using DNA barcode identification techniques. Inferences will be further supported and conclusions drawn by testing the pH, amount of coliform bacteria, turbidity and levels of phosphate, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen of the two areas of the lake.

Poster:

Team samples: