Project:

Biodiversity of Ants Depending on Habitat

Students:

ShiYue (Serena) Zhou, Yeowon Hong, MinYoung (Alice) Kang, Yeri Kim

School:

Stony Brook School,

Mentors:

Danielle Davey

Abstract:

Long Island is home to a wide variety of ant species found in different habitats. Ants are crucial components of ecosystems not only because they constitute a significant part of the animal biomass but also because they act as ecosystem engineers. Ants turn and aerate the soil, allowing water and oxygen to reach plant roots. The purpose of this study is to compare ant biodiversity across various locations. We hypothesize that tree habitats will show higher ant biodiversity than grass, sand, flowers, and mulch-soil due to the availability of bark, branches, and leaves, which provide food, shelter, and nesting. Our testing process involves collecting ants from different areas: grass, trees, sand, flowers, and mulch-soil as a control group at randomized times. The first location is the grass field behind Gaebelein, the second is the forest near Cleveland Dorm for trees, the third is West Meadow Beach for sand, the fourth is below the ring bell where flowers grow, and the final location is

Poster:

Team samples: