Lydia Paradiso

Plants are all around us and are essential to life on Earth but are often overlooked or taken for granted. Especially as climate change and habitat loss threaten global biodiversity, understanding the biology of plants is fundamental to understanding the complex web of life on Earth. This course will be an introductory survey of botany. The first half of the course will cover topics such as plant anatomy, morphology, physiology, and reproduction; the second half will explore plant genetics, diversity, ecology, and evolution. Weekly discussions and textbook readings will be complemented by lab activities and a field trip to the New York Botanical Garden.

New York City is host to thousands of native and non-native plant and animal species that thrive in a diverse range of habitats, from saltwater marshes and old-growth forests to sidewalk cracks and vacant lots. What factors contribute to this impressive diversity? What did New York City look like prior to European colonization? How has human activity impacted the flora, fauna, and environment of the city? This course will investigate the ecology of New York City from prehistory to the present. We will begin by exploring the geologic, physiographic, and ecological conditions that led to the development of a diverse patchwork of native ecosystems. Then, we will analyze the impacts of industrialization and urbanization on these systems, as well as historic and current conservation, restoration, and management efforts. Readings will include Manahatta by Eric Sanderson and Gotham Unbound by Ted Steinberg, complemented by a field trip to Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx.