Project:

Comparing the Biodiversity of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Freshwater Ponds With and Without Human Intervention in Long Island,

Students:

Cecilia Yin, Raphael Loizides, Maya Kaul, Meiqi Ma

School:

Friends Academy, Nassau

Mentors:

Jennifer Newitt

Abstract:

Leaf litter is known to be a hiding spot for animals along with a necessary gifting of the nutrients in the soil. It also acts as a barrier and protects the soil a variety of creatures flourish in the condition it provides (National Geographic). A nearby location, Bailey’s Arboretum had removed 5000 cubic yards of leaf litter in February of 2024, and we wondered how it would affect the biodiversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates in freshwater ponds. Through further research, we found out that leaf litter in water releases phosphorus, which stimulates algae growth in the water. Too much algae can negatively affect the water quality in the area (From trees to trouble: how leaves harm water quality | Good Growing | Illinois Extension); many invertebrates consume leaf litter as a source of food and nutrients and it makes them more sensitive and reactant to changes in the leaf litter. Even though there are conflicting theories, our team hypothesized that removing leaf litter in Bailey’s

Poster:

Team samples: