Project:

Studying Moss Diversity by Sampling Moss From Different Locations on Randalls Island

Students:

Meriem Bouteldja, Izzy Holmes

Institution:

Bronx Community College,

Mentors:

Raffaella Diotti

Abstract:

Mosses are a widespread group of plants that contribute to the biodiversity and sustainability of the ecosystem. Since they are sensitive to environmental variables, they are monitored as environmental indicators. We are interested in looking at moss’s biodiversity in Randall’s Island as a location that sees heavy human traffic, from the bridges that cross over it to various human activities. In addition, it has a history of being used as a dump site, but has also undergone restoration efforts in the past years. For that purpose we chose the Freshwater Wetlands, Hell Gate Pathway, the Bronx Kills and the Harlem River pathway as sample locations. The mosses will be examined for morphological differences and DNA barcoded to determine the different species present. We expect to see differences in the species present at the different locations based on the difference in physical environment and on the different amount of pollutants expected at different sites.

Poster:

Team samples: