Project:

How Moss Diversity is Affected by Hyper-Local Environmental Factors

Students:

Leo Mazur, Gabriela Casey

Institution:

High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College, Manhattan

Mentors:

Richard Li

Abstract:

The purpose of this project is to identify how the varying environments of certain species of moss influence their diversity. Plant populations are affected by various environmental factors such as water availability, soil nutrients, and light intensity, which determine their evolutionary course. We will use DNA Barcoding techniques to identify what environmental factors contribute to moss genetic diversity, and how they do so. This will help us begin to understand what characteristics of their environment are crucial to preserve.

Poster:

Team samples: