Modeling the relationship between Tick Biodiversity and Lyme Disease Pathogen
Biodiversity is known as the variability among organisms from all sources and it includes the diversity within species, between species and of the ecosystem. In this study, we questioned whether there is a relationship between vector biodiversity and reports of vectored diseases. We used Ticks to conduct our study to see if there was a correlation between the Ticks biodiversity and lyme disease pathogens. To assess biodiversity and lyme disease pathogens, we used NEON data products. The data that was collected from the NEON data was then sorted and modeled in R studio. Data on nymph ticks and larva ticks were collected and compared. We followed this up with a continuing study on campus where we performed collection and sampling of ticks. The results of this project and the challenges will be presented and discussed.