Project:

How do Buffer Zones Affect Biodiversity in Wetlands?

Students:

Caitlin Tucker, Kaya Manolt, Madison Tutone

School:

Sachem North, Suffolk

Mentors:

Monica Marlowe

Abstract:

Riparian buffer zones are areas of natural vegetation that can protect or isolate a wetland ecosystem from harmful pollutants.  Our study will investigate the effect of buffer zones on water quality and biodiversity of isolated freshwater wetlands on Long Island.  The first wetland has no buffer zone, which we predict will show greater impacts from the surrounding suburban community, such as nitrogen pollution and presence of invasive species. The second wetland has a forested riparian buffer zone and should have better water quality, and therefore, a greater biodiversity of native freshwater wetland organisms than the wetland without the buffer zone.

Poster:

Team samples: