Project:

How biodiversity in invasive vs. native plant areas in central park affects ecosystem services such as pollination, water retent

Students:

Artin Majidi, Ethan Isakir, Ninis Twumasi, Nicholas Armstrong-Shakib

School:

The Browning School, Manhattan

Mentors:

Akira Wong

Abstract:

This study investigates the biodiversity differences between invasive-dominated and native-dominated plant areas in Central Park, focusing on their impact on ecosystem services such as pollination, water retention, and soil health. Central Park's 840 acres host a mix of native and invasive species, with invasive plants like Japanese knotweed and Norway maple altering ecological dynamics by outcompeting native flora. Fieldwork involves sampling plant species, measuring environmental factors like soil pH and sunlight exposure, and employing DNA barcoding to accurately identify plant species and classify them as invasive or native. Biodiversity indices, such as Simpson’s Diversity Index, are calculated to quantify species richness and evenness in each area. The results are analyzed for correlations between biodiversity metrics and key ecosystem services, offering insights into how invasive species impact urban ecological stability. This research contributes to understanding urban biodiv

Poster:

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