Project:

Testing the Biodiversity and Bioindicator Qualities of Lichens and Lichens Affected by Air Pollution

Students:

Caroline Zhou, Alon Nachimson

School:

Tenafly High School,

Mentors:

Alan Brandstaedter

Abstract:

Lichens are created from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an algae. They serve some medical purposes and have evolved to fit different environments. Some are sensitive to air pollutants, such as NO2, while some are more resistant to it, as such, there is an idea that lichens can serve as bioindicators of pollution. We hypothesize that, based on previous research, there will be more pollution resistant lichens in the site with higher pollution and lower amounts of pollution sensitive lichen samples and vice versa. 10 Lichen samples collected from two sites, Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, and Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Nassau County, with both sites having contrasting pollution levels. These samples’ species will be identified first using iNaturalist and field guides, and later identified with DNA barcoding, they will be compared to a database with data with lichens sensitive to vs. resistant to pollution. In this way, we aim to confirm previous research

Team samples:

See all samples for project