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

Project:

The Effect of Restoration Projects on the Flora of Highland Park
Students:
Eirene Fithian, Hayley Fier, Annie Rozenblyum
School:
Leon M. Goldstein, Brooklyn
Mentors:
Shubha Sarode

Abstract:

Million Trees NYC is a project that was created to increase our city’s urban forest, adding nature to the city and compensate for the intense carbon emissions released into the atmosphere. The organization focuses on planting and caring for one million new trees that are being planted in locations in dire need of restoration or lacking vegetation. In 2010, Million Trees NYC restored Highland Park in Brooklyn by planting red oaks, white pines, eastern red cedars, tulip poplars, and many other species of trees. The project did not restore all parts of Highland Park, so there are still some areas where the original vegetation remains. Many of the new trees at the site did not have the same phenotype as the old trees. Therefore, we can either deduce that a genotype cannot be assumed solely by a phenotype or the new trees planted in the park are not the same species as the old trees and can become a threat to the ecosystem. This is based on DNA barcoding of leaf samples from new and old t

Poster:

DNA Barcoding Poster
View team poster (PDF/PowerPoint)

Team samples: