Capstones

Graduation Date

Fall 12-14-2018

Grading Professor

Emily Laber-Warren

Subject Concentration

Health & Science

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Abstract

As humans move into cities, and expand them into megalopolises like New York City, the animals that live there also have to adapt to this rapidly changing environment. This series of three videos, five to seven minutes each looks at wildlife in the city, and their relationship to humans.

The first episode is about the insects that forensic entomologists study to estimate the time of death for dead bodies. Although we never think about these insects normally, they can play a very helpful role in solving murders. The second episode is about lichens, another creature that is not often spoken about, but play an important role in almost all land based ecosystems. They died out due to lower air quality after the industrial revolution, but are only recently making a comeback in New York City after the passing of the Clean Air Act. Dr. James Lendemer of the New York Botanical Garden maintains the largest collection of lichens in the western hemisphere. He takes the viewers through the archives of the Botanical Garden to show what we lost. His research assistant Jordan Hoffman shows the viewers what we still have around us in the city The third episode is about the Eastern Coyote, which has been so successful in the wild, that it is now moving into New York City to expand its home. Carol Henger shows the viewers how and what she learnt from studying New York City coyote DNA, while Dr. Christina Colon explains how her students track down coyotes using camera traps placed around the city. The episodes incorporate video, motion graphics, and photographs to explain the wor.k that scientists are doing to learn more about these creatures

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