Project:

The Cause for Invasive Species

Students:

Maiya Staudt, Angela Zhang, Raisa     Zaman

School:

Mount Sinai High School, Suffolk

Mentors:

Allison Elfreth

Abstract:

In this project our group is intending to collect various DNA specimens from various aquatic freshwater plants at our local ponds and differentiate between possible species that may be hiding behind similar looking features. We researched that the conditions these different species thrive under are overrun with invasive species such as watermilfoils. Though variation is needed for the most optimal chances for the plants survival, invasive species are considered as a threat for these ecosystems. Other aspects of these species are their roles in the thriving ecosystems of these areas. The roles of these aquatic plants are to provide food and shelter for the wildlife and also to purify the water there. We expect to find out why some species would be considered invasive in the Miller Place Pond but native to the Bartlett Pond and why there is such an abundance of invasive species in Miller Place Pond but not in Bartlett Pond.

Team samples:

See all samples for project