Project:

The Effect of Human Activity on Ant Biodiversity

Students:

Monica Penafiel, Junior Ramos

School:

Glen Cove High School,

Mentors:

Kerry Bunyan

Abstract:

Ants are common insects usually found in environments like gardens, sidewalks, and parks. Ants are an important part of their ecosystems. Ants primarily make their anthills starting underground. By the ants burrowing through the soil they are aerating the soil, allowing for oxygen to penetrate deeper and help many plants to root. They act as predators to other insects and also decomposers of organic waste or other dead animals. For our research project we will be collecting ants from three different environments to assess the biodiversity of ant species in Glen Cove: Morgan's Park, Glen Cove High School fields, and Juniors backyard. We believe that if human activity in an ants environment impacts them, then ants present in areas with less human activity will be more biodiverse. We think that ants in Juniors backyard will have more biodiversity than GCHS (Glen Cove High School) fields or Morgan Park because there is less human activity, whereas Morgan Park or GCHS fields will have more

Poster:

Team samples: