Barcode Long Island Team The Lichen Investigators
Program:
Barcode Long Island
Year:
2021-22
Research Topic:
Biodiversity & trade
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Lichen

Project:

The Lichen Investigators Proposal
Students:
Collette Doyle, Nora Kane
School:
Lynbrook Senior High School, Nassau
Mentors:
Kathleen McAuley

Abstract:

The problem that will be explored is the effects of elevation on lichen biodiversity. Previous studies have shown that lichens at mid-altitudes (1400m-1600m) are more diverse than those at other altitudes. At other altitudes, there is no direct relationship between lichen diversity and altitude. This study will explore the effects of elevation on lichen biodiversity, intending to discover a pattern of lichen diversity increase/decrease with increasing altitude in the low altitude range (0m-1400m). As an added result, the overall health of the forest can be assessed based on lichen diversity. In previous studies, a greater diversity of lichens has indicated a healthy forest, as the U.S Forest Service and other government agencies have listed lichen communities as an indicator of health. The location where this study will be conducted is Cold Spring Harbor State Park. The location has a vast forest with varying elevations (0m-100m), where the diversity of lichens can be assessed. As lich

Poster:

Team samples: