Project:

Using a Lichen Biodiversity Index as an indicator of the overall health of San Souci County Park, Sayville NY

Students:

Anna Meserve, Kelsey Restivo, Jordan Carpentieri, Paige Weber

School:

Sayville High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Anthony DeAngelis

Abstract:

There are approximately 260 species of Lichen currently catalogues on Long Island. Lichens can be found in a variety of environmental conditions, however lichens are sensitive to air quality because they receive all their nutrients and water from wet and dry atmospheric deposition. Poor air quality can cause the death of the lichen algae, discoloration, reduced growth of the lichen fungus, or even kill a lichen completely. Poor air quality can also limit the biodiversity of lichen species in an area. Some lichens are considered indicators of environmental health, while others are not. Samples of lichens will be collected, observed and DNA sequenced. If resilient lichens are found in the absence of non resilient lichens, or if lichen bleaching and discoloration is observed, it can be concluded that there is an air quality issue in San Souci County Park.

Poster:

Team samples: