Project:

Analyzing Barcode Sequences to Assess Peconic River Biodiversity

Students:

Morrigan Katzenberger, Sabrina Disney

School:

Eastport South Manor Junior-Senior High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Robert Bolen

Abstract:

The Peconic River is important because of its part in the Peconic Estuary ecosystem. The river creates a habitat for diverse species, including endangered species and beneficial species. There are major problems with the river, including pollution from nitrogen. Nitrogen pollution is mainly caused by human activities like septic systems and fertilizer runoff. These issues can be solved by maintaining or upgrading septic systems and reducing the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Maintaining species biodiversity is important because having diverse species that interact will keep the ecosystem stable. Maintaining genetic diversity is important because species with higher genetic diversity have a higher chance of withstanding changes in the environment. Assessing biodiversity is important because it provides data to access and track the environment's health, and results in greater stability. We expect to identify several diverse species of aquatic invertebrates including dragonfly larvae

Poster:

Team samples:

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