Project:

THE ODONATE DIVERSITY OF VAN CORTLANDT PARK

Students:

Lawrence Heller, Spencer Lott

School:

Ethical Culture Fieldston School, The Bronx

Mentors:

Howard Waldman

Abstract:

This project seeks to survey the odonate diversity of Tibbett’s Brook and Van Cortlandt Lake in Van Cortlandt Park, in the Bronx. Due to odonates’ dependence on freshwater bodies for the completion of their life cycle, odonate species are prone to become threatened or endangered as these habitats are altered and destroyed by human activity. By surveying the odonate diversity of Van Cortlandt Park using DNA barcode identification techniques, the Urban Barcode Project will provide a window into the biodiversity of this urban environment. Additionally, it will allow us to delve into the capabilities for (odonate) species to live in such an environment.

Poster:

Team samples: