Project:

Garden Roof Ant Biodiversity

Students:

Annabella Paraschac, Sophia Kohler, Mia Tagore

School:

Marymount High School,

Mentors:

Robert Getz

Abstract:

Different parts of the city are populated with a diverse range of species. To shed light on this issue, our study poses the question, what is the diversity of ant species in the Marymount School’s rooftop garden compared to Central Park as determined through DNA barcoding? We will employ DNA barcoding, a technique that allows for precise species identification, to ascertain the species present in our garden. Through further research, we will trace the origins of any non-native ants and assess their potential as invasive species. We hypothesize that the ant population in the rooftop garden will comprise a mix of both native and non-native species, some of which may be invasive. What we discover in this study could provide out of the ordinary insights into urban biodiversity, enhance public understanding of this vital topic (Perfecto & Philpott, 2023), and inform conservation efforts in urban settings.

Poster:

Team samples: