Barcode Long Island Team MACK
Program:
Barcode Long Island
Year:
2021-22
Research Topic:
Biodiversity & trade
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Animals: Invertebrate

Project:

Comparing the effect of ant diversity on artificial grass fields vs. grass fields
Students:
Caroline Larrow, Mary Costello
School:
Lynbrook Senior High School, Nassau
Mentors:
Kathleen McAuley

Abstract:

Greis park in Lynbrook, NY is the center of many activities such as baseball, soccer, lacrosse swimming in the public pool, outdoor basketball and roller hockey. To accommodate for the destruction of the grass fields the town replaced one of the fields with an artificial turf field within the last year. The recency of this remodeling has not yet allowed wildlife to fully adapt to the change. Although the turf has positively benefitted activities at the park it may have some negative effects on wildlife from the destruction of their habitat. Since ants are known as an indicator species on the old grass field, this species will be useful in determining the effects the artificial turf field had on biodiversity.

Poster:

Team samples: