Project:

The effect of traffic numbers on the biodiversity of lichens

Students:

Jessie Vuotto, Sadie Aragona, Shannon Bludoy, Olivia Ramirez

School:

Lynbrook High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Stoycho Velkovsky

Abstract:

Lichens are tremendously sensitive to environmental impacts, especially concerning atmospheric pollution, eutrophication, and climate change. Increases in air pollutants can poison and kill sensitive lichens. Lichens benefit humans because they trap particulate matter in the air such as dust, while simultaneously absorbing diminutive pollutants such as sulfur, mercury, and nitrogen. This experiment will take place in 4 different parks: Hempstead State Lake Park, Greis Park, and Grant Park. Roads near these parks are densely populated with cars, leading to fossil fuels burning. Bay Park isnt near any busy roads, so it will be used as almost a control will collecting lichens. A limited number of lichens will be collected so the lichens are not removed from the environment completely. The lichens will be damped before the removal process to prevent breakage and stored in paper bags for long term storage. Pictures will also be taken to document these samples. The locations chosen to sample

Poster:

Team samples: