Project:

Biogenetic Diversity of Ants in the Westhampton Beach Metropolitan Area

Students:

Lola Anderson, Evan Lockwood, Jack Schultz

School:

Westhampton Beach High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Dianna Gobler

Abstract:

This study will take place over at least ten years, although we will not see results right away, over time students will be able to observe changes in ant biodiversity and behavior. Students will conduct statistical tests to determine whether a significant change has occurred in one year and whether there is a trending change over time. If they do detect a pattern or outlier, students of future research classes at our high school will investigate these changes. They can do this either by conducting their own study and collecting their own data or by reading and doing background research into other studies around our local area. Biodiversity of an insect as integral as ants can be an indicator of the health of an ecosystem. Fluctuations in biodiversity are often due to changes in the environment such as climate change and introduction of an invasive species for example. That is why this data will be able to tell students when further investigation into these changes is necessary.

Poster:

Team samples: