Project:

Plant Species Diversity at Two Habitats on Randall's Island

Students:

Farah Mahmud, Abigail Kaufman, Cordelia Harting

School:

Ethical Culture Fieldston School, The Bronx

Mentors:

Howard Waldman

Abstract:

This study plans to explore the plant biodiversity on Randall’s Island by comparing two biomes, a salt marsh and a meadow. We aim to understand how these ecosystems and their unique qualities affect the variety of plants that may live there. Using DNA sequencing and careful sampling, we plan to identify species and confirm DNA. Based on our research, we expect the salt marsh to have certain plants exclusive to that area and vice versa for the meadow. We expect to see a variety of grasses, flowers, and trees/shrubs for both the salt marsh and meadow, while both have unique endemic species. We will do this by contrasting the diversity and richness of the salt marsh with the meadow, and hopefully be able to analyze the natural variety of plant life and highlight the importance of these ecosystems in urban areas.

Poster:

Team samples: