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

Project:

Effects of the human population on the biodiversity of ants
Students:
Brandon Fernandez, Harry Jones
School:
Cold Spring Harbor High School, Suffolk
Mentors:
Jaak Raudsepp

Abstract:

Throughout history, humans have had a great impact on the environment. The Earth has been negatively affected by humans due to the effects that come along with their creations. The consequences of human activity have greatly affected how the Earth’s species have evolved and adapted to this human influenced environment. Moreover, insects are affected by small changes in the environment due to their lives being on a small scale. Though known to be some of the most adaptable creatures, the biodiversity of ants has been impacted by human activity. The project will be assessing how human activity has affected the biodiversity of ants through means of methods we have learned at the labs. The ants will be collected by sifting them out of the ground at the collection sites. Then, the ants will be DNA barcoded. The results of the barcoding will be compared to those ants that were in the abandoned estate. Afterward, the data from the High School, a place with human activity, will be compared t

Poster:

Team samples: