Project:

The Effect of Industrializtion on the Biodiversity of Lichen in Northport

Students:

Brendan Navas, Brendan Navas

School:

Northport High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Kimberly Collins

Abstract:

Lichen are a composite organism consisting of a fungus and algae and or cyanobacterium capable of performing photosynthesis. Lichen are commonly used to monitor air quality, retain water in soil and prevent erosion. Lichen have an important role in ecosystems as food sources for organisms. The purpose of this project is to investigate how sources of industrialization in our town of Northport affects the biodiversity of lichen. The selected sampling location includes three sources of industrialization; a waste to energy incinerator, diesel railroad tracks and a bus yard. I plan to collect and analyze samples of lichen from these areas along with samples from Twin Ponds Nature Park as a control for lichen biodiversity in an area not affected by industrialization. Sequenced samples will be analyzed through DNA Subway to determine the impact of proximity to industrialization on lichen biodiversity.

Poster:

Team samples: