DNA barcoding is a way of identifying and documenting species within an ecosystem. Barcoding organisms allows us to determine and categorize the biodiversity of Long Island’s ecosystems, identify potential novel and/or invasive species, and determine relationships between existing species around Long Island. It is our aim to determine the stability of Long Island’s ecosystems in order to have a greater, more helpful impact on the health of our native species. The “Day in the Life of the Peconic River” program has given us ample opportunity to discover different terrestrial species. We are looking to gain more knowledge on species, or even locate new species. Using DNA barcoding, we will: - Identify common genetic sequences in native species. - Identify potential novel species. - Identify potential invasive species. - Establish a baseline for data.