Barcode Long Island Team CAP
Program:
Barcode Long Island
Year:
2017-18
Research Topic:
Wildlife
Taxonomic Group Studied:
Plants

Project:

Biodiversity of Marine Plants in Relation to High Density Boat Traffic Areas
Students:
Dylan Pane, Joseph Conti
School:
Babylon Jr/Sr High School, Suffolk
Mentors:
Andrew Sheltz

Abstract:

Long Island is home to a vast array of marine grasses and reeds both invasive and native. Salt marshes on the south shore are home to many of these grasses which form thriving ecosystems. Boat pollution is presented in many forms such as oil, anti-foul chemicals, contaminated bilge water, fuel spills, and oil based garbage. These substances are emitted from boats as they travel through the water. According to the DEC, the grasses are indistinguishable which makes barcoding necessary to obtain information on whether the species are native or invasive, and how abundant both are in a high boat traffic environment. Different types of reeds and grasses will be collected from areas of varying human interaction. Some collection sites will be areas with high boat traffic, such as the drawbridge or Lindenhurst cut, while others will be for the most part untouched. Standard DNA extraction procedures issued by CSHL will be followed on the plants. PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction is a proc

Poster:

DNA Barcoding Poster
View team poster (PDF/PowerPoint)

Team samples: