Are parks in NYC's wealthier areas more biodiverse? NYU researchers want to find out.
Gothamist
By: Rosemary Misdary
Areas with lower biodiversity affects humans’ quality of life, too. A 2022 study by the community organization South Bronx Unite found that the South Bronx was 8 degrees hotter than the Upper West Side, a wealthier neighborhood with more trees and vegetation.
“It impacts general human happiness unless you're completely unaffected by your surroundings,” said Hope. “The more diverse of an environment you have around you where you're living, I think that really impacts how you feel about life.”
The result of Alaasam and Baez’s reports will be completed by the end of the year. They hope that their data will be used by decision makers to create more equity and better manage the city’s green spaces.
“That’s the first step to conservation,” said Baez, who grew up playing in Van Cortlandt Park. “These types of [urban] ecosystems are expanding and intensifying, and what we can do about it is just spread awareness and make sure we’re developing them in ways that will nurture the wildlife that are able to survive here.”
