Project:

Polymorphism within Bees on Long Island

Students:

Denis Sovjani, Gabriela Melgar Delgado

School:

Westbury High School, Nassau

Mentors:

Marie Bettina Fantal-Pinckombe

Abstract:

Long Island is home to various bee species. Ranging from honey bees to native bees on the island, these bees play a vital role in our ecosystem. Long Island’s geographical area, coupled with diverse habitats ranging from coastal areas to agricultural fields, supports an estimated over 300 species of bees, the majority of which are native and solitary.[4] They provide crucial services by ensuring cross-pollination, which is essential for maintaining genetic diversity and sustaining the food web for our ecosystem. Popular threats to the bees in Long Island include habitat loss, and pesticide exposure. This habitat loss is due to urbanization in Long Island and habitat fragmentation. [2] The change of the habitat that many native bee species rely on lead to a decrease in their population. Adding onto this stressor, the usage of pesticides and its exposure to bees have also led to a decrease in their population. As of 2025, bee colonies nationally have gone down by 60% during the winter,

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