Urban Barcode Project Team The MOSSters
Program:
Urban Barcode Project
Year:
2016-17
Research Topic:
Biodiversity & trade
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Plants

Project:

The Biodiversity of Moss in Three Locations with Varying Degrees of Vehicular Traffic
Students:
Jessica Dai, Daphne Zhu, Angela Youn, Rebeca Zapiach
School:
Tenafly HS, Other
Mentors:
anat firnberg

Abstract:

In order to determine sulfur dioxide presence in the environment, moss can be used due to its ability to quickly react with its surroundings. These plants live everywhere, on stone walls, at the base of trees and even in between sidewalks. Moss obtain nutrients by absorbing from the air or ground through their leaves. Due to their sensitivity, moss are accurate indicators of environmental alterations and contaminants. Like humans, moss have preferences in its habitat. Certain species of mosses has developed resistance to specific concentrations of sulfur dioxide, acting as an indicator for pollution. Therefore, barcoding mosses to identify specific species from three areas of varied sulfur dioxide concentrations will allow us to identify three species with varying resistances respective to the known areas of pollution.

Poster:

DNA Barcoding Poster
View team poster (PDF/PowerPoint)

Team samples: