EcoQuest Challenge Archive 2017

EcoQuests, part of the NYC EcoFlora Project, challenge New Yorkers to become citizen scientists and observe, study and help conserve the native plants and animals of the City, using iNaturalist, an easy-to-use mobile app.

The New York City EcoFlora project is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [MG-70-19-0057-19].

Look for Lichens - December 2017

Lichens are formed by a partnership between a photosynthetic alga, which produces food, and a fungus, which provides shelter. Highly sensitive to air quality, lichens were all but eliminated from New York City before federal regulations to curb pollution were enacted in 1970.

Today lichens have recolonized the City with nearly 100 species spread throughout the five boroughs, acting as bioindicators of improved air quality. As New York City gets cleaner, more lichens are returning. Help document the growing biodiversity of the City by observing lichens in your neighborhood.

Take photos of lichens that include at least two corners of a MetroCard (as pictured) or a coin in view for scale. Post your observations on the NYC EcoFlora Project at iNaturalist.

Additional information:

Buy the field guide Common Lichens of Norteastern North America, from the NYBG Press.

Download the guide What are Lichens?

December 2017 EcoQuest Results:
  Total observations for New York City: 202.
  Observations by borough: Manhattan, 95; Bronx, 92; Queens, 11; Brooklyn, 3; Staten Island, 1.
  Top five observers: laura622, 47; elizajsyh, 37; danielatha, 28; dskacc, 16; mpitaro, 11.
  Total number of plants, animals and fungi: 22
  Fungi: 135
  Lecanoromycetes: 22
  Candelaria concolor: 7
  Parmeliaceae: 6
  Lecanorales: 5
  Physcia millegrana: 5
  Flavoparmelia: 3
  Flavoparmelia caperata: 3
  Punctelia rudecta: 2
  Physcia: 2
  Amandinea: 1
  Apiosporina morbosa: 1
  Quercus rubra: 1
  Cladonia cristatella: 1
  Liriodendron tulipifera: 1
  Acarospora fuscata: 1
  Punctelia: 1
  Xanthoparmelia: 1
  Parmelia sulcata: 1
  Pertusaria pustulata: 1
  Phaeophyscia rubropulchra: 1
  Lecanora: 1

Thank you for your participation!

Investigate Invasives! - November 2017

Invasive species are non-native organisms that can cause major economic and ecological harm. Throughout New York City invasive plants are exploiting degraded and disturbed habitats, outcompeting productive native species, and often forming monocultures. Invasives can tear down a forest limb by limb until there is nothing left but a moonscape of tangled vines and sterile, dry soil underneath.

Take photos of Porcelain-berry (top left), Japanese Angelica Tree (top right), Italian Arum (bottom right), Common Reed (bottom left), and any associated animal or fungal interactions. Post your findings on the NYC EcoFlora Project at iNaturalist.

Additional information:

Come to the Invasive Species Summit: Restoration and Long-Term Management.

Download Identification guide for the Investigating Invasives EcoQuest.

November 2017 EcoQuest Results:
Total number of participants: 28 observers
Number of new EcoFlora project members: 7
Total Investigate Invasives! related observations for New York City: 164
Observations by borough: Manhattan, 54; Bronx, 52; Queens, 35; Staten Island, 22; Brooklyn, 1.
Top five observers: @susanhewitt, 33; @laura622, 27; @mpitaro, 23; @cbarron, 22; @bioethics, 15.
Total number of plants, animals and fungi: 5
Porcelain-berry: 70
Common Reed: 65
Italian Arum: 21
Japanese Angelica Tree: 7
Mugwort: 1

Thank you for your participation!

Fraxinus and Fungi - October 2017

North America’s diverse and majestic Ash trees (Fraxinus) are threatened with extinction by an invasive beetle, the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB). Fortunately for New York City’s Ash trees, the EAB has not yet been found here. Efforts are underway to find resistant trees, develop biocontrols from predatory insects, and encourage mutually beneficial fungi to save these trees before they are gone forever.

Take photographs of Ash trees and any associated fungi (including lichens), and post your findings on the NYC EcoFlora Project at iNaturalist. Be sure to include photos of the Ash fruit whenever possible.

Additional information:

What is Fraxinus? Download the information sheet.

Download New York City Ecoflora Treatment of Fraxinus.

October 2017 EcoQuest Results:
Total number of participants: 38 observers, 13 identifiers
Number of new EcoFlora project members: 8
Total Ash related observations for New York City: 265
Observations by borough: Bronx, 158; Manhattan, 65; Staten Island, 30; Queens, 7; Brooklyn, 5.
Top five observers: plnthunter22, 53; elizajsyh, 36; donrecklies, 31; mombo711, 17; micelych, 16.
Total number of plants, animals and fungi: 18
White Ash: 104
Red Ash: 59
Pumpkin Ash: 7
European Ash: 5
Boxelder: 5
Chicken of the Woods: 12
Caldleflame Lichen: 2
Emerald Ash Borer: 2
Red-winged Blackbird: 1
Eastern Gray Squirrel: 1
Black Ash: 1
Blue Ash: 1
Carpenter Ants: 1
Common Greenshield Lichen: 1
Wintercreeper: 1
Whiteflies: 1
Rosette Lichen: 1
Red Beard-moss: 1

Thank you for your participation!

Pokeweed Pursuit - September 2017

American Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana) is a native plant that grows in diverse habitats, including sidewalk tree pits, gardens, and natural woodlands. Pokeweed berries are mildly toxic to humans, but they are an important food source for songbirds and small mammals. Help us document the distribution of this plant species and the animals that depend on it.

Even though Pokeweed is widespread, frequent, and easy to recognize, its true distribution in New York City is poorly known, and there are very few documented animal interactions.

Take photographs of American Pokeweed and any animal interactions, and post your findings on the NYC EcoFlora Project at iNaturalist.

Be sure to come to the Saving the American Ash Symposium.

Additional resource: Download American Pokeweed Information.

September 2017 EcoQuest Results:
Total number of participants: 111 observers, 73 identifiers
Number of new EcoFlora project members: 23
Total Pokeweed observations for New York City: 1126
Observations by borough: Bronx, 595; Manhattan, 428; Queens, 44; Staten Island, 33; Brooklyn, 13.
Top five observers: @elizajsyh, 258; @plnthunter22, 199; @danielatha, 133; @bioethics, 100; @laura622, 52.
Total number of plants and animals: 5
American Pokeweed: 1119
Ailanthus Webworm: 3
Rose-breasted Grosbeak: 1
House Sparrow: 1
American Hog Peanut: 1

Thank you for your participation!

(American Pokeweed photograph courtesy of Bob Finkelstein (c), Photo 10094455, some rights reserved, CC BY-NC.)

Monarchs and Milkweeds - August 2017

North America’s iconic Monarch Butterflies are in decline—threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and pesticide use, as well as loss of Milkweed plants required for rearing their young. Almost half of New York City’s 11 Milkweed species are thought to be extinct in the City. How many can you find?

Take photographs to document the distributions of Milkweeds and Monarch butterflies, and post your findings on the NYC EcoFlora Project at iNaturalist.

Additional resource: Download the Guide to the Milkweeds of New York City.

August 2017 EcoQuest Results:
Total number of participants: 54 observers, 50 identifiers
Number of new EcoFlora project members: 29
Total observations for New York City: 318
Observations by borough: Bronx, 210; Manhattan, 61; Staten Island, 24; Brooklyn, 18; Queens, 5
Total number of plants and animals: 22
Common Milkweed: 96
Large Milkweed Bug: 45
Swamp Milkweed: 34
Monarch Butterfly: 29
Butterfly Milkweed: 28
Green Comet Milkweed: 2

Thank you for your participation!

(Monarch photograph courtesy of TexasEagle (c), Photo 1477, some rights reserved, CC BY-NC.)