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Professor Jason Munshi-South
jason [at] nycevolution.orgITF Ben Miller
benjamin.miller [at] macaulay.cuny.eduITF Kara Van Cleaf
kvancleaf [at] gc.cuny.edu NY Times Science Section
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Invasive Species and Novel Ecosystems
People often fail to acknowledge the distinction between simple exotic species and invasives. There is generally a negative impression associated with all exotics as being invasive and people often go on great lengths to eliminate them. According to Ch 6 in Rambunctious Garden, the words exotic and invasive are often interchanged. Most people believe that simply because a specie was introduced from a foreign habitat it makes it invasive. However, considering a proxy which fills in a missing niche and a feral cat which eliminates an entire bird on an island is too simplistic and foolish. As stated by Marris, the general impression of most exotics remains quite negative– a species invades and the ecosystem collapses, species go extinct and the complexity and diversity are replaced with a monotonous and weedy landscare dominated by invaders. However, such a point of view is quite primitive and is only valid for only a certain instances. Exotic species come in a variety of different form, and only some of them are malignant invasives.
In other cases, exotic species often increase the biodiversity of the place, help an endangered species recover or provide food for the native population. I am quite surprised that Marris does not make a distinction between invasives and exotic species. She presents examples of instances where invasives are beneficial, as well as talks about the ecological and economic consequences caused by invasives such as zebra mussels and yellow crazy ants. By definition an invasive species is the one that results in malignant consequences, therefore invasives will most likely not have any positive influences. Foreign species that help can not be classified as invasives, they are simply exotic.
Nevertheless, invasive species are a major concern and result in significant economic and ecological losses. Government agencies around the world are trying to combat the threat and have taken several steps towards hindering the movement. However, often times invasive species inadvertently find their way into foreign habitats and wreck havoc–like the brown tree snake in Guam, but most exotics often fail, die off or the natives evolve and become accustomed to them.
Another key idea Marris introduces is that of novel ecosystems– a place where exotic species have formed new ecological relationships and have become important or even keystone species. Several novel ecosystems are often a result of inadvertent human activities, but not maintained by humans. Proponents of the idea, support the involvement of exotic species and argue that they function just like or even better than native systems.
I believe the idea is practical and focuses more on the function rather than the identity of the species. Baselines and pristine wilderness is hard to establish, exotic species are present in almost every ecosystem and have become an integral part of them. Nature and the environmental process should not be interfered with. If exotic species go through natural selection and help form a balance then we should not consider them any less than the natives, and let them fulfill their respective niches.
The High Line
The High Line is an elevated railway that was abandoned and, years later, was converted into a park. In Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post Modern World, Emma Marris explains new ideas about nature with a focus on the ways that nature can exist in a urban setting. The High Line is a rambunctious garden because it was a manmade creation that was taken over by nature when it was abandoned then humans stepped in once again so that this nature could be preserved but also experienced by the people of the city.
Stalter’s paper gives some background information about the High Line and tells a bit about the plant species that grew on it. The High Line was built in 1934 to separate the rail and pedestrian traffic along 10th Avenue. The High Line was then abandoned 1980. In the decades that followed, wild plants began growing on the elevated rail line. The High line became a highly diverse natural habitat with limited human interaction even though it was located within Manhattan.
Recently, the High line has been developed into a park and the natural plants now share the space with pathways and recreational areas. This allows the people of New York City to experience that natural environment that has managed to grow in such an unlikely setting.
The interaction between humans and nature is perhaps one of the most important parts of nature in an urban setting. Therefore, although the development of the High Line as a park made the area less pristine, I believe it made the space even more of a rambunctious garden
I had been to the High Line a few times before I went for this assignments but I had never paid much attention to the pollinators before. Most of them are small and easy to miss if you aren’t looking for them. This time, though, I got to really see them up close as I took the time to try to snap clear pictures of them while high winds were blowing the plants that they were on.
The High Line
The highline was very different from what I imagined it would be. I had never been there before but I though it would be an ordinary park where various (dull) plants would be growing amongst the older tracks. I read that it was elevated, but did not take much consideration of it. However once I walked down 23rd ST towards 10th AVE and saw the stairs leading up to the park, I realized it was something really different.
This park basically defined my perception of what Marris describes a Rambunctious Garden to be. The park is so manicured but at the same time has wild natural feel. The long (clean) white path with architecturally suave benches makes the parks look like it was all artificially made. The city building backdrop and the layout of the park make the plants and wildlife, which on their own would look very wild and natural, instead seem as if a gardener had painstakingly planted the plant to look as natural as possible.
The fact that an abandoned city railroad, something many people would not assume would be a place to hang out and relax, is now a park where people can relax and get a little piece of nature during their lunch breaks turned park is enough to say that the High Line is Urban Nature. Though there are many people walking around the highline, it still feels very serene. It is really a place to get away from the hectic, fast paced city life, while still being in the city. Being close to the Hudson River adds to the serenity by the winds that drown out the noise from the cars and construction nearby. Nature is considered to be an escape from daily life, and the High Line is one of the places to do it on the West Side.
I was also very surprised by all the wildlife diversity. I did not see many pollinators (only a bee perhaps because of all the people walking around), but there were many different types of plants. When reading Stallers paper, he goes on for a very long time about the different plants, animals or insects that can be found. Though the paper mentions the many plants that can be found in the park, once getting to the park you can really see the variety. Stalter’s paper mentions a lot about the diversity of the park, which does add to the Rambunctious Garden definition, I don’t think the diversity is as important as what the park looks like and what it does for its goers.
Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87762520@N06/
The NYC High Line
In Rambunctious Garden, Emma Marris criticizes previous practices of conservation of nature that focus on expelling the human element from nature. She presents the idea that humans should not be excluded from nature but rather involved in and intertwined with it. Her concept of a rambunctious garden is essentially nature made and maintained by humans.
The High Line on the west side of Manhattan, I believe, is the perfect description of Marris’ rambunctious garden. It was built in the 1930’s as an “elevated commercial rail line” to reduce the number of trucks and trains traveling along side pedestrians by introducing an alternate route. The highline carried commercial freight from 1934-1980 but the introduction of the interstate highway system in the 1950’s resulted in a decline in freight traffic and the final freight train to ride the High Line was in 1980. Deconstruction was began in the 1960’s of the southernmost section but and organization called Friends of the High Line stepped in and began advocating for the preservation of what was left from 13th to 34th street. Now, the High Line is a walkway above the building servicing as the perfect location for primary succession.
Going to the High Line a few days ago, I had absolutely no idea what to expect especially since the first time I had ever heard of it was when we were assigned to go there. My friends had informed me that it was an abandoned railroad system that has been transformed into a garden. I simply expected railroad tracks and some plants on the side, but BOY, was I surprised!
I was greeted by a beautiful terrace above the buildings, with tons of sunlight and an amazing diversity of plant and animal species. Although I was unable to identify them, I saw an infinite array of plant, shrubs, trees, flowers and several pollinators such as bees and flies. In my opinion, this is the perfect example of Marris’ rambunctious garden, a piece of nature that not only coexists with humans but was actually created and maintained by them. Another example of the way humans coexist with the highline was stated in Richard Slater’s The flora on the High Line, “human visitors to the High Line have probably inadvertently transported seeds to the site, a source of new species,” which contributes to the vast diversity of plants present.
All in all, I greatly enjoyed my visit to the High Line and am grateful that our city maintains projects of this kind that not only protect nature but create a beautiful place for New Yorkers to relax and enjoy it.
The High Line!
For almost 50 years, the High Line railroad served as a means of commercial transportation and carried commercial goods through the city. Eventually, in 1980, the final trip along the railway was made and it was since abandoned. Parts of the railroad were demolished, other parts completely torn down. Unkempt species grew as humans had little interaction with the High Line. What was once a main vein of transit in New York City had become an unsightly feature that negatively affected surrounding property values. Luckily, some saw this as an opportunity to integrate nature into a highly urbanized area. What resulted was a citified garden with “a multiplicity of everchanging habitats” (Stalter 390).
Unfortunately, the day I visited the High Line was a bit gloomy and windy; many of the area’s pollinators had probably scurried away in search of shelter. I was only able to capture a few bumblebees hovering around flowers and low-lying plant communities. On a previous visit during mid-August, however, I saw a much more diverse community of species ranging from bugs of all sorts to a monarch butterfly. As Stalter states in his study, humans may have also played an inadvertent role in pollinating the High Line by transporting seeds while walking. I thought about this as I looked around at the flora around me. It is quite ironic that something so industrial it was once labeled “Death Row” could become something rich with life. In fact, Stalter states “the High Line may have one of the highest levels of species richness of any temperate zone urban environment in the region” (Stalter 389). Variables that would seemingly negatively affect species gave way to such diversified organisms.
In the midst of one of the most urban areas in the world, a lovely elevated “park” exists. A rambunctious garden, perhaps? I would say so. When the High Line was built in the 1930s, no one could have guessed what it would end up becoming. Over time, the High Line adapted to the changing environment around it and luckily, the Friends of the High Line saw this as an opportunity to preserve the diverse nature that had emerged. In fact, I went to a community board meeting the same day and one of the topics of discussion pertained to a new housing plan that suggested erecting three new apartment buildings around the High Line. Rather than tear down a part of this urban garden, the building plan intended to integrate it into the project.
While the High Line differs from what most people believe to be conventional greenery, it was nice to see that the elevated park did not have to be pristine or seem like a whole other world for it to be rich with nature. In the midst of tall, futuristic apartment buildings and car horns, the High Line provides an escape from boisterous society for the humans that dotted its large patches of grass.
Marris Ch. 6 & 7
Prior to chapters six and seven, Marris talks about the dangers of introducing invasive species to an ecosystem. In these two chapters, Marris tries to dispel the negative stigma of invasive species by showing the various reasons why invasive species can be beneficial and why people still might not see invasive species as a positive.
Marris first talks about how invasive species can be beneficial to an ecosystem. One example Marris uses is how a foreign species of trees was able to help save two species of songbirds and a species of fruit bat that lived exclusively on Rodrigues Island (97). These three species were in danger of going extinct when the forest was cut down on the island, thus reducing their fruit source. A nonnative species of “fast-growing timber” were chosen to quickly replant the island, but in the end the rapidly growing plants served to save these three species since native species grew quite slowly and would not have been able to stop the endangered species from going extinct (98). Invasive species can play important roles in the ecosystem. In a similar example, invasive species can actually help nature flourish by taking of the roles of extinct species. In Hawaii, exotic birds are taking over the dwindling native bird species’ important duty of dispersing seeds (105). Sometimes the Without these exotic birds stepping in, seed dispersal might not be happening at all in Hawaii. In fact, some studies show that exotic species may even be considered to be functioning better than native species. One study compared a native only forest with former pine plantations of a similar age showed that the pine plantations were “richer in species, had greater aboveground biomass and used nutrients more efficiently” (113). If functionality is measured through species diversity, amount of biomass produced and the efficiency of using nutrients, then exotic species may function better than native species. In addition to this, exotic species may be able to help not only the ecosystem, but humans as well. One such species is the Chinese brake fern that can take arsenic, a harmful poison, out of the soil. Contrary to popular belief, the invasive species do not seem to be overly terrible and can be quite beneficial to the ecosystems.
Marris then offers an answer to why invasive species are held in such negative light. She suggests that this conception of invasive species partially comes from what people consider differences between species. For example, there are two cousin species of duck, the white-headed duck from Europe and the ruddy duck from the Americas (107). Though they look different and act different, the fact that they are able to successfully create a hybrid shows that they are compatible. The hybrid is becoming dominant, but many people are worried that each separate species will go extinct. Yet some scientists argue that the DNA from both species still carry on so it doesn’t matter if each species separately goes extinct.
In conclusion, Marris provide some great examples to show how invasive species and novel ecosystem can be beneficial to the biodiversity despite misconceptions.
The High Line
As I walked up the stairs on 23rd street between tenth and eleventh avenue, all I could think of was this trip that I had for so long delayed due to a belief that the High Line was simply this mundane green space somewhere out on the west side. However, 25 little steps later my predictions were proven wrong. Instead I walked in to this surprising, refreshing and beautiful garden that I knew would be a spot I would come back to on my own in the future. I would assume that most New Yorkers similar to me think of the big parks like Central Park, Madison Square Park or Bryant Part when they seek solace and peace from the busy streets of New York City. Who would have known a ten-minute bus ride from my college was another vast rambunctious garden waiting to be discovered.
The High Line resembles a “commercial railroad paralleling 10th and 11th avenue” because simply it was exactly that during 1934-1980. The original High Line, which opened up in 1934, was designed as a solution to “Death Avenue” by allowing freight trains to travel at an elevated level rather than side by side with pedestrians and automobiles. Its purpose was filled as the “West Side Improvement Project,” but post 1950’s its purpose was no longer needed, due to the introduction of the Interstate Highway System. Slowly by slowly the highline was starting to be broken down in the 1960’s, nonetheless the Friends of the High Line organization stepped in alongside the Rail Banking program to preserve what was left of the High Line through 13th-34th street. Eventually this abandoned area became an ecologic phenomenon as it served as an ideal location for primary succession. The “abandoned lichens, bryophytes, forbs, grasses and woody vegetation grew unmolested by human and train traffic,” and transformed the High Line into another serene place tired New Yorkers could go for comfort (Slater.)
I believe that the High Line serves as a perfect example of a Rambunctious Gardens as author Emma Marris describes. She defines the term as nature that is “tended by us,” and it can be any of strip of land that contains any sort of greenery (Marris, 2.) The High Line is exactly that considering its origin is an abandoned railroad track, and even more so considering that human disturbance has further evolved this area as a vascular plant site. When walking through it the natural pollinators are present suchas the various dandelions and bees, however this place truly proves itself as a rambunctious garden because of its location. It is elevated through Manhattan and many of the building surrounding it have created their own little terrace Rambunctious Gardens to further increase the greenery of the location. All in all the High Line is another example of how humans are bring nature in their cities in any free space possible. Just like Marris I believe that this is the correct conservation method to incorporate in cites.
Pollinators of the High Line
The High Line covers several Manhattan neighborhoods on the West side. With many access points, which are near multiple public transportation stops, this public park stretches for over one mile between 10th and 11th Avenues on top of the old freight rail line. As an elevated park, the views of NYC’s skyline and other storefronts are pretty unique.
After sections of the freight railroad were shut down in the 1960s, the High Line turned into a messy and wild environment, unkept and unmaintained. A non-profit organization called Friends of the High Line began to work towards preserving the High Line and turning it into a public park. From as early as 2002, specific species like “lichens, bryophtes and vascular plants at the High Line” were collected and classified (Stalter, 388). With all the data compiled, the results showed that the High Line had “161 species in 122 genera in 48 families” (Stalter, 388).
It is discussed that multiple factors contribute to the public park’s diverse variety of species. Some include human visitation as a “possible source of transported seeds and new species”, and human disruptions like littering, trampling, soil compaction, and fires (Stalter, 300).
Therefore, in an attempt to limit some of the damages caused by humankind, the High Land has many rules, enforced by the park’s personnel. Some of these rules include, NO: walking on gravel/plants, picking flowers/plants, using amplified sounds, using bikes/boards/skates, littering, etc. It seems that the High Line wants its human visitors to create as little a disturbance as possible to its man-made and man-maintained environment.
When I visited the High Line, I did not notice such a wide spectrum of species, as Stalter states there is. I mostly saw bumble bees and honey bees, and many flies. Many of the pollinators I saw, however, where around yellow flowers and purple flowers of the High Land, which were consistently found in patches along the park. I did see some weird red and long bugs and a few birds, too, but other than that, it was difficult for me to distinguish many species from each other since they all looked generally similar to me.
The High Line & Stalter
Emma Marris’s concept of the rambunctious garden is that of, in simple terms, manmade nature. It requires profuse human involvement in conservation, unlike many of the other methods that she criticizes in her book, Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World. In accordance with this notion of the rambunctious garden, Marris deems it possible and to a certain extent necessary for humans to coexist with nature. Furthermore, this can occur in basically any environment, regardless of whether it is rural or urban or something else entirely. Humans can actively incorporate nature into their lives and surroundings and allow it to flourish while still functioning undisturbed alongside it.
An abandoned railroad track in the middle of Manhattan is probably the last place one would think to find nature. In the heart of what is often considered to be the world’s greatest urban area lies the High Line. Preserved in the hopes of forming a pedestrian walkway, the elevated area that lies just west of 10th Avenue between 13th and 34th Streets began to sprout vegetation after its use as a commercial rail line ceased. Eventually, the pedestrian walkway became a reality, and since then the High Line has become a beautiful attraction, offering a peaceful walkway with plenty of benches for pedestrians that is barricaded on both sides by greenery.
In my opinion, the High Line matches up perfectly with the definition of a rambunctious garden. Human hands constructed the whole space from before it even became the High Line, and the site continues to be influenced by humans in several ways on a daily basis. For example, it is maintained by humans in order to ensure that the vegetation survives and continues to bloom as well as remains on the sides of the walkway. An article by Richard Stalter, entitled “The flora on the High Line, New York City, New York,” only enhances my aforementioned opinion of the High Line being a rambunctious garden with its observations on the human interaction regarding the park. According to Stalter, “human visitors to the High Line have probably inadvertently transported seeds to the site, a source of new species,” (387) which plays a factor in its high species richness and diversity. As for human coexistence with the High Line and the park’s endurance of the urban extremity that is Manhattan, it seems to be doing just fine. There are most likely a large handful of New Yorkers that are not aware that the High Line is even present, and they are not living their lives any differently because of it. This goes to show that we really can have nature in our own backyards, as Marris suggests. Even in New York City, with “drought stress in dry weather, low fertility of soil, human trampling and cutting vegetation, and the smothering of plants by debris such as tires, bottles and additional trash,” (387) the High Line has continued to prosper. Some of it is even shaded by the city’s signature skyscrapers, but that hasn’t stopped the nature in that spot from developing. Thus, although it initially seems rather unlikely, the High Line possesses all of the qualities of a rambunctious garden, which in turn helps support Marris’s argument that such a thing really is possible and beneficial.
Visiting The High Line & Stalter
Within New York City, a place surrounded by tall buildings and filled with traffic, there is a strip of vegetation along 10th avenue from 13th to 34th street. A railroad abandoned for 46 years was observed to have gone through something similar to primary succession on bare rocks or on islands. The railroad that was used to deliver commercial goods was abandoned from 1934 to 1980. During this time, “lichens, byrophytes, forbs, grasses and woody vegetation” formed along the rail line untouched by humans. (Stalter) For vegetation to grow by itself in a place filled with skyscrapers and little plants produced with human hands is a good example of Marris’ rambunctious garden.
The High Line was once known as the “Death Ave,” because of the “dangerous mix of rail/motor traffic and pedestrians along its path.” (Stalter) After the rail line was abandoned vegeation began to form on its own, providing evidence that it is possible for nature to grow in cities. Marris believes that nature should be adapted to the city environment instead of just protected and preserved. From her observation, nature is able to adapt to the changing environment created by humans, and even if humans went out to protect the environment in its pristine form from human hands, it will still be affected by humans. So with the success of the High Line building nature on its own, Marris is able to show that nature can adapt to urban areas.
After the High Line was abandoned, there was much discussion as to what to do with it. Some wanted the rail line teared down, while others wished to preserve it and transform it to a walkway. The Friends of the High Line wanted to save the rail line and claimed that its transformation would “enhance economic development of the area.” (Stalter) When it was decided that the High Line would be preserved, many species were discovered . The specie richness was observed to be “greater than the specie richness of four nearby New York City sites” and might just have “one of the highest level of specie richness in any temperate region.” (Stalter) This was clear during my visit to the High Line on September 20. During my visit, there were a variety of plants though most of them seemed similar.
Besides the plants looking similar, the pollinators were as well. I spotted many bees there, a small flying insect, a few moths, and a sparrow. From all the bees I observed, it was visible that they were all different species. Some bees were fat, others were thin, and the shape of their wings were different too. Some bees appeared to have a larger stinger than others as well. Given the different appearances, it was clear that there were different species of bees. These different breeds of bees coexisted well with one another as some even gathered at the same plants to gather pollen. It seems that some plants attracted bees more than others and some plants attracted only one specific type of bee. From my visit, I. noticed that most of the plants that looked alike were spread out along highline more than others plants that I had only viewed in certain spots.
The High Line and Stalter
The Chelsea High Line is a park located on an elevated railroad track, running along 10th Avenue between 14th street and 34th street. Due to the fact that I’ve never visited the high Line before I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I couldn’t help but wonder how an entire ecosystem would be able to survive in an area dominated by development and the uprooting of natural ecosystems. However, as I stepped onto that platform I was amazed to witness how in a matter of a few steps I could be transferred from a city that is in constant motion, to one that exemplifies the very meaning of serenity, beauty and nature. During my visit on September 20th, I noticed that different varieties of bees were the pollinators that were in the largest abundance. Although there was a little breeze during my visit, I couldn’t help but notice that at every patch of flowers there happened to be a few bees pollinating the plants.
The High Line seems to be a perfect example of what Emma Marris refers to in her book as a “Rambunctious Garden.” Unlike the efforts of the conservations to make a distinction and separation between nature and human interaction, the High Line strives to combine the two into an ecosystem where nature and man can coexist and live together in harmony. Instead of constricting nature to reserves in order to create “pristine” ecosystem, Marris points out that we should allow nature to adapt to its modern day habitats. In the second chapter of her book, “Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post Wild World,” Marris states “Conservation can happen in parks, on farms, in the strips of land attached to rest stops and fast-food joints, in your backyard, on your roof, even in city traffic circles. Rambunctious gardening is proactive and optimistic; it creates more and more nature as it goes, rather than just building walls around the nature we have left.” Instead of forcing nature to become how we believe it should be, we must allow it to form in its own way. The High Line is a perfect example of nature adapting to its surroundings and with the assistance of many pollinators, such as bumble bees and honey bees, the High Line is able to flourish and survive as a natural ecosystem.
In his article, “The Flora of the High Line,” Richard Stalter provides further information as to why the High Line can be classified as a “Rambunctious Garden.” Stalter mentions that the High Line has a greater species richness and abundance than many other areas in New York, including Ellis Island, Liberty Island and Bayswater State Park. I found it very hard to believe, however at the same time amazing, that an ecosystem as successful as this could survive in an urban area as advanced as the heart of New York City. It really goes to prove the fact that we don’t have to isolate nature from human interaction in order for it to thrive.
Stalter and NYC HighLine
The last time I was forced to go to the High Line was last year for my first Macaulay seminar class and I didn’t think too much of it. Now, a year later I return again to this place because of my Macaulay seminar class and I still don’t think too much of it.
However, I’d be lying if I said that I don’t appreciate it. I mean honestly it is a nice place to take a walk and admire the view. In fact, when I used to go to the Highline it was because of the view and how nice it looks. In all honesty, I have to thank the Rail banking program since because of their determination the highline wasn’t destroyed.
According to what I understood from the Stalter paper the primary succession (which according to his paper is initiated on sites where vegetation has not existed previously) that occurred here was different than in other places and for that reason the environment developed differently.
The main cause for the environment developing differently was human involvement (even though it was minimal).Some human involvement includes trash disposal (littering), the inadvertent invasion of species and pollution. By pollution I’m referring to the fact that there was an excess of sulfur dioxide in the environment, which then hindered the growth of lichens.
One thing I have to say which surprised me the most from this paper was how of all the parks they did research in the New York Highline was the park with the most diverse amount of species. Some of the parks where this research was conducted include, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, Hoffman Island (also known as Swinburn Island) and Bayswater State Park. In all honesty, I expected either Ellis Island or Liberty Island to have more species richness. So, even though Ellis Island and Bayswater State Park have more Species, The New York City Highline still has the most species richness with 38.8 species per ten thousand square meters (hectares).
Anyway, when I went to the Highline with Isadore and a few other classmates we happened to come across on the way there we were told to look around for pollinators. But, in all honesty most of what I was able to get on camera were bumblebees or honeybees (at least I think they were those type of bees I’m no zoologist and I’m not the greatest at differentiating bees.) Furthermore, there were also other types of insects like flies and other types of insects, which I couldn’t identify but they were insistent on not letting me get them on photo.
HIgh Line
Although the High Line is reputable as a park built upon on abandoned railroad track, I have not visited such area until this assignment came up. I have heard about it but did not really think about how it would look like until I was walking from the train station to meet up with other classmates to walk around the park. When I first saw it, I did not expect it to be on a suspended railroad. I thought it would on railroad tracks at ground level. After I had climbed the stairs and reach the top, I realized the park was nothing like the image I had of it. The park was a lot more beautiful then I expected it to be. There were many flowers and insects going through the plants. I mostly saw bees but I caught a glimpse of a butterfly or two before.
There were many tourists around taking pictures and walking along the park. To one side of the entrance I entered through, the 23rd Street one I believe, tall buildings were towering over the park while to the other where many stores such as restaurants, pharmacies, etc. Although this park is surrounded by city life on both sides, it still flourishes very well. I believe that the Highline fits into Marris’ concept in her book.
Although the Highline is in the city, and at some areas has tall buildings towering over it, the plants still grow there and flourish. According to Stalter’s paper, humans played a part in how the plants grow. It is said in the paper that “material washed from passing trains and wind—deposited soil added” to the mineral content of the soil. It also said humans may have accidentally transferred seeds to the area, another human interaction to the park.
The Highline shows nature can coexist one with nature not without fencing in the area and that humans may potentially add to the beauty or diversity of it just as birds and insects do. Even though the nature has been touched by human presence, it does affect it negatively as other people may believe when human interact with nature. This visit to the Highline was very pleasing and did change my perspective of how we can affect our surroundings in a positive way.
High Line and Stalter
The High Line on the West side in Manhattan has an abundance of nature, as evidenced by my visit there and Stalter’s report on the ecology there. Even though it was starting to rain and very windy, I could still find several different pollinators around the plants on the High Line. Because of the wide array of nature interacting with humans in the middle of the city, the High Line displays Marris’ concept of a Rambunctious Garden.
I had gone to the High Line several years prior but I had never noticed the variety and extensiveness of the plant fauna there since I was only interested in the interesting architecture surrounding it. Walking through the High Line I noticed a very large range of plants and flowers which I did not expect to see in the city. I was surprised by the dense areas of plants which were thriving on the High Line. Many pollinators seemed to like one certain type of plant and I found a variety of different bees or flies mainly around them. I think I saw a couple of different bees and perhaps a wasp, as well as flies and some other unknown insects. I also spotted several birds and a few butterflies but I was unable to capture a picture of them since they flew away rather quickly. Along with the nature there is also a lot of human traffic. There are many tourists there and the variety of people visiting the High Line is also very diverse.
Stalter confirms in his article and report that there is a very large variety of plant life and species at the High Line. He discovered a total of 161 species there, with 82 native and 79 introduced. Stalter goes on to describe how the “species richness at the High Line is greater than species richness at four nearby New York City sites.” Stalter also concludes that one factor for the high diversity of species at the High Line is human disturbances. This supports Marris’ idea of the rambunctious garden. Marris talks about how all nature is affected by humans and how well nature can adapt to human interference. The High Line is a great example of this. Disturbances by humans brought a lot of the plant life to the High Line, which in turn may have attracted the many pollinators that are there currently. The High Line is not a “pristine” or untouched portion of nature. On the contrary, the High Line was originally an abandoned railroad track and over time it grew into the urban ecological system it now is. Nature is clearly thriving in the area while still interacting and adapting to the constant human traffic that visits the High Line each day. The High Line is truly a rambunctious garden in the city.
NYC High Line
“Within the confines of New York City lies an overlooked oasis of green…the abandoned elevated high line.” Richard Stalter opens his piece on the High line with these words and to me that’s what it was. I’ve never heard of the high line before this class, so I thought it would be somewhat deserted. However, once I got there it was bustling with life. I couldn’t believe how many people were there. It was more crowded than the streets of Manhattan yet there were places where one could lounge and rest. To top it off, sprightly plants were on both sides of the high line for a majority its length. The abundant number of plants takes one to a place where they forget he is in the city to the point where seeing billboards and parking lots from the elevated platform a strange sight.
If there was a place to accurately describe Marris’s view of a rambunctious garden. The high line embodies the idea of humans and wildlife living in unison. People are sitting, listening to music, reading, there are food vendors, and little kids playing. There was even a bride, groom, and their bridesmaids and groomsmen taking a stroll through the high line. The plants are also evenly distributed and in some areas it feels as if they completely surround the people at the high line.
With the merging of man and wildlife, there are still separations so neither is completely overwhelmed by the other. There are signs to remind people not to invade the area specific to the plants and concrete pathways for people to stay on. There is also an unspoken separation of pathways. While there is no sign or marker indicating which way to walk, the people organize themselves and keep to their right, allowing for a smooth walk with no obstructions.
While I visited the high line, I felt that while my timing had its pros, there were some cons. I couldn’t find any animals other than a single bird that made taking a picture of it incredibly difficult and a cabbage butterfly. There were other bugs, but they were too small to be caught by camera. I was disappointed by the lack of animals I saw because Statler’s statistics made me hopeful of seeing numerous animals I rarely see in the city.
The High Line
A rambunctious garden, as described by Emma Marris, is not a place isolated by walls or fences, it coexists with humanity. Rambunctious gardening is proactive and optimistic; it’s not a romantic notion but a part of our everyday lives. A rambunctious garden can be found anywhere, one doesn’t have to escape his/her daily life to witness it, its all around us and develops with the humankind. A rambunctious garden is evolution in action, a practical form of conservation, which can flourish anywhere. The High Line, an abandoned railway line that runs along the West Side of Manhattan, fits perfectly with the notion of a rambunctious garden. It represents an ecosystem that coexists with the city life and continues to diversify.
The High Line possesses every characteristic, which makes it a suitable candidate for a rambunctious garden. It’s in confined to an area within a busy city, it continues to cultivate despite human disturbances and trampling, and possess an unlikely location. One may suspect that an abandoned commercial railway line, deprived of proper sunlight and nutrient rich soil, may never be suitable to sustain such large biodiversity per ha, but that’s what makes it rambunctious. Primary succession and pioneer species took over the abandoned place and cultivated it to withstand the human hindrances.
The railway line currently stretches 20 city blocks between 13th and 34th streets and parallels 10th avenue. It is no longer just an abandoned strip of land, but has become an urban oasis and a public walkway, which is constantly visited by locals and tourists. As investigated by Stalter in his study, the pioneer species at the site were primarily mosses and grasses. The growing and dying of pioneer species added organic matter, which allowed for vascular plants to grow and thrive and also contributed to the slightly basic pH of the soil.
Furthermore, Stalter’s study concerning the biodiversity and flora, reaffirms its classification as a rambunctious garden. The High Line is one of the most biologically diverse and species rich system in the New York-Tristate area with over 161 species, 122 genera and 48 families. The study also shows a density of 38.8 species per ha, which is greater than sites like Ellis Island, Liberty Island and Bayswater State Park.
The biodiversity of the highline is truly remarkable, and strengthens the support for maintaining and supporting rambunctious gardens, interestingly enough only 59% of the species at the High Line can be classified as “pristine” or “native”, but still the system continues to thrive and seems very natural. The high level of diversity has been made possible by human interactions, mostly humans are considered to be a hindrance for an ecosystem, but in case of a rambunctious garden, humans act as inadvertent pollinators.
Nevertheless, after visiting the High Line myself and examining the pollinators and the coexistence of nature and humanity I am convinced that nature doesn’t always have to be pristine and rambunctious garden can exist anywhere and support a species rich ecosystem.
High Line
Like Central Park, the High Line is a well known location of nature that is preserved. Even though I’ve been there before, I didn’t take the time to appreciate the plant and animal species. However, this time i was able to take my time and observe. I went during noon and surprisingly there weren’t many birds and pollinators around. After wandering around, I begin to stop pollinators and butterflies. It was nice to observe the High Line for its purpose. The plant life in the area seemed very well preserved. One interesting thing was that I was unable to find any trash or litter on the High Line. It seems that other people realize the importance of the High Line and refrain from littering.
Marris believes that “rambunctious gardens” are the way to preserve ecosystems. The High Line fits into her concept very well. The High Line is an area where people can interact with the nature while preserving it at the same time. An example of this can be when people refrain from throwing trash on the High Line. Every one is aware that the High Line needs effort in order to be protected. Even though humans have interacted with the nature present and may have brought non-native species, its that which makes the High Line special and an example of a “rambunctious garden.”
Stalter’s paper does not change how I view the High Line. I still believe this type of nature can be considered a “rambunctious garden.” Even though the article doesn’t provide any visual guides, it does state a lot of the species that reside there. It also gives a lot of statistics about the area that one would not know from visiting. Stalter’s article complimented my visit by making me more knowledgeable of the area and what things I could expect.
The Rambunctious High Line & Salter
The High Line seems to be the embodiment of Emma Marris’s idea of a “rambunctious garden” because it is an ecosystem that interacts, grows, and coexists alongside human development. For over 12 years, the park has been able to survive the destructive human hand and is currently flourishing in the backyard of New York City.
The High Line’s resilient nature and improbable location already distinguishes it as a rambunctious garden. The park is cultivated on top of an old railroad line that runs along the West side of Manhattan. Along the elevated strip of land, nature is cramped and constricted by the boundaries of human development. Plants are confined to patches of soil that are bordered by fences and walkways. In addition, skyscrapers limit sunlight in some areas, while noise and air pollution add extra burdens to the ecosystem. Yet, plants and their pollinators have managed to bypass such substantial hindrances and continue to grow within the constraints of their new environment. As a result, the High Line matches the description of Marris’s “rambunctious garden” because it is cultivated in our own “backyard” and has withstood the harsh conditions of an urban environment.
Richard Salter’s study on the flora of the High Line mostly reaffirms my viewpoint that there is no better example of a rambunctious garden than the one embodied in the High Line. In addition, the study also allowed me to understand that rambunctious gardens are feasible and should be encouraged. For example, Salter observed that the High Line’s species richness was greater than four nearby New York City sites. Meaning, even on that narrow stretch of compact soil, the ecosystem was thriving more than some city parks. However, my only reservation is the fact that primary succession is limited. This should inevitably lend itself to more plant diversity. In addition, since a walkway runs through the middle of the High Line, humans inadvertently transport seeds and new species to the environment. Hence, the high species richness of the High Line could have less to do with the actual environment and more to do with external factors that promote its growth and diversity. Yet, regardless of what factors contributed to its development, the High Line still stands as a good example of what a rambunctious garden should entail.
Overall, our visit to the High Line helped to place Emma Marris’s idea of a “rambunctious garden” into visual perspective. I can now envision the possibilities of integrating a highly developed urban environment with nature that once seemed fragile. In addition, the pollinators of the High Line helped me pay close attention to interdependent characteristic of ecosystems. Regardless of Salter’s explanation for the high species diversity of the High Line, I believe that “rambunctious gardens” are plausible and should be supported in cities like NYC.
High Line, Stalter – 9/20
It’s hard to believe not only that we have the High Line within New York City, but also the number of people who are still unaware of it. Located along the West side, on 10th avenue and stretching 20 blocks is a fresh oasis in a city with a reputation needing one. The High Line, originally a commercial railroad, which became abandoned, was relatively free from human intervention. This allowed vegetation to grow “unmolested by human and train traffic” (Stalter 387). I’ve been to the High Line countless times before, however, I have never stopped to notice or wonder about the helpful pollinators that help make this happen.
A few handsome gentlemen and I were able to observe a variety of pollinators. From what we saw, bumblebees seemed to be most popular, though not dominant. We also observed other species of bees (honey, long-horned, and leafcutter), as well as butterflies, and other insects whose functions we were not completely educated on. We found a majority of the pollinators we witnessed from 23rd street up to about 27th street. Unfortunately, many were unapologetically photo-shy or too into their work.
Most of the anthropogenic interference was atmospheric rather than direct tampering. Stalter’s study was published in 2004, before the High Line’s redevelopment took a change in course. In Stalter’s study, he reports observing high vascular plant species. The species per area are compared with contrasting locations. These include islands that receive high human traffic (Ellis Island) and more isolated ones (Hoffman Island). Some of the factors he credits the vast diversity to are in fact committed by humans, albeit unintentionally. Countless conditions have played a part in the vegetation of the High Line. As a relatively undisturbed environment which high sun exposure, the High Line may be a special case. Stalter explains that “xeric succession on the abandoned High Line may have been altered by the rate at which soil forms or accumulates…the growing and dying of the mosses, lichens and grasses added organic matter to the soil” (389).
The Friends of the High Line have made it their mission to preserve the High Line. In a city with high real-estate value, letting nature run wild was not an option. A happy compromise has been reached with The Friends allowing nature to flourish, yet keeping it in check. The vegetation of the High Line has been chosen by The Friends to recognize the wild pioneers that had colonized it.
I definitely believe that the High Line embodies Marris’ idea of a rambunctious garden. As mentioned, human interference, such as transporting seeds and new species through visitation, can help explain the diversity. Up to this point, we have mostly been learning anthropogenic changes affecting nature. In this case, nature and humans are beneficial to each other. The High Line is living on a man-made structure and being tended by man. In return, the High Line has spurred development to its surrounding areas, giving back to its neighbors.
The High Line and Stalter
I visited the High Line for the first time on Thursday, September 20th and I was quite amazed by what I saw. I started off at 23rd street and then walked up a few blocks, and then down to 20th street. I saw many different plants and pollinators, including different bees, small flies, and butterflies. The High Line is so different from the surrounding areas, with all the buildings, and stores and traffic and whenever I looked around and saw the buildings and then at the plants again, it felt like two different worlds. This, I thought, was a large part of the beauty of the High Line. It’s pretty amazing to see how a railroad could be transformed into a place filled with different plants and species and it really fits in with Marris’s concept of a rambunctious garden.
Marris believes that we shouldn’t try to restore ecosystems of the Earth into pristine wilderness that was supposed to have existed before humans disturbed it, but rather to have humans accept that they are in charge of nature and to mange it and make it so that we are creating environments where nature and humans can coexist and interact. The High Line is just that. It is not just a closed off space of nature, but rather a place where nature is being conserved and restored and people can go there and connect with nature. People restored and manage the place, but they aren’t just putting any plants and making their own ecosystem. Many of the species there are native species. Those species, along with many others might not be there if not for the management of humans. Having native species grow back while humans manage the area to fit into the urban environment is a good example of rambunctious gardening.
Stalter’s paper doesn’t change my view of the High Line, but it does make me appreciate it more. In his study, Stalter found that “species richness at the High Line is greater than species richness at four nearby New York City sites.” The High Line has 38.8 species/hectare while at Hoffman Island, it was 21.8 sp/ha, 37.9 sp/ha at Bayswater State Park, 19.8 sp/ha at Liberty Island, and 22.8 sp/ha at Ellis Island. I wouldn’t have thought that the High Line would have so much species richness since it’s in an urban environment and was created not so long ago. One of the possible reasons Stalter gives for the high level of plant species is “human disturbance including trash deposition, trampling, oil compaction and fire.” The disturbances in cause the habitats to keep on changing, but the species there are still able to adapt to it. Just as Marris said, nature is resistant and adaptable. I think the High Line is a great project and should be an example for future conservation projects, especially in cities.
The High Line
In the book Rambunctious Garden, Emma Marris criticizes that many conservationists approached conservation in a misleading way. Marris believes that there are no such things as pristine nature. There are evidences of human influences everywhere in the world. I think that the High Line fits into the concept of Marris’ rambunctious garden because it is heavily shaped by human, and yet still have its unique natural characteristics. According to Stalter, human visitors to the High Line accidentally bought seeds and different soils to the site, it creates various habitats for different species to live in. Other human influences such as “trampling and cutting vegetation, and the smothering of plants by debris such as tires, bottles and additional trash (Stalter 387)” also play an important role of soil composition and species diversities in the High Line.
The High Line used to be an elevated commercial railroad from 1934 to 1980. It sketches from 13th and 34th street between 10th and 11th Avenue. However, the 1950s Interstate Highway System decreased the rail freight on the High Line. The High Line rails were abandoned in 1980. Friends of the High Line, which is a non-profit organization, proposed to transform the rail lines into a pedestrian walkway. During the primary succession lichens, bryophytes, forbs, grasses and some other vegetation started to appear. Then with the growing and dying of the mosses, lichens and grasses, the soil composition become richer, which allows more species to better flourish themselves (Stalter, 387-388).
During my first visit to the High Line I was impressed by its species richness. I visited the High Line on last Tuesday; it was windy and rainy. I saw all different colors of flowers, fruits, and trees. As what Stalter reported in his paper, “the vascular flora at the High Line consisted of 161 species in 122 genera in 48 families (Stalter 388).” It is amazing that this human-made strip of nature is right in the city. I also saw a lot of pollinators like honeybees, bumblebees, butterflies and etc. It was a worthwhile trip to the High Line; I can see all different types of flora without travelling outside of the city.
I believe that the High Line supports Marris’ concept of rambunctious garden, because it is not pristine, but still have its unique beauty. According to Stalter, compare to Haffman/Swinburne Island, Bayswater State Park, Liberty and Ellis Island, the High Line has the greatest number of species. Also, “The High Line may have one of the highest levels of species richness of any temperate zone urban environment in the region (Stalter, 389).” Although many conservationists believe in pristine nature, and that nature should be kept away from human interference; the High Line proves that human and nature can be coexist, and create this strip of nature with the most species diversities.
The High Line: A Natural Experience in NYC
One of the most visited nature sites in New York City is the High Line. The attraction spans from 14th Street to 34th Street along 10th Avenue. It was my second visit to the Highline and the first time that I actually saw the plants and paid attention to pollinators. People of all different races, genders, and styles visit the High Line to appreciate the natural elements, plants, and spectacular views of Chelsea.
Upon climbing the stairs of the 23rd Street entrance of the High Line I was surrounded by a diverse people. There were young men and women holding hands, young children begging for ice cream, old ladies telling them to be quiet. Business people looking for a break in the day, a saxophone player accompanied by a vocalist, jamming out; these were the people of the High Line. What united them? Was it nature? Was it the sounds of the birds? What was it?
Personally, I think people go to the High Line to relax. It is very peaceful up there. Especially considering that 20 feet below you sits the heart of Chelsea (on 23rd Street). Nature, on the West Side of Manhattan, seems out of place up there, but highly appreciated. What types of plants were there? I am no botanist, so my best summary is: a rainbow of all the colors you could see, but one color on one plant; some had thorns; some were dying; some were thriving; some had birds all over them; some had insects and bees pollinating like wildfire; it was different.
Pollination. Many overlook the process. It truly is an art form, and those who are good at it are relentless. The bees will stop at nothing, not even 40 mph winds. The birds only seemed to be around one plant, the fruitful looking purple one. The small orange insects that I have never seen are nested along a brown leafed plant. The day was windy, overcast, and overcrowded with New Yorkers, but these animals were in their own domain. Shielded by a fine green line, they were in their own habitat, created by humans, untouched by humans since. You get the feeling that some plants are more loved than others: some appear more vivacious. That could be a result of something that Slater points out.
He says due to shallow soil profile, soil depth ranges from 1 centimeter to 70 centimeters (over 2 feet). Perhaps this is a reason why some plants appear brown on the last day of summer and others are thriving with beautiful colors. Slater brings up an interesting point saying that the High Line has the highest species per area with respect to 4 other major coastal sites including Ellis Island and Liberty Island. It is easy to see why this may be the case. The High Line is only 20 blocks long, and just over 20 feet wide. The total number of species on the High Line is 163, which is third following Ellis Island and Bayswater Park.
Is the High Line a Rambunctious Garden? It would appear so. The High Line is a natural space strategically created by Kelco. It is built to serve nature and humans. There are practical and artful uses for this great space. Ultimately, this is now nature, that is created, should be enjoyed by the masses.
the Highline and Stalter
Although I went to the highline a year ago for IDC to see the Chelsea Galleries, upon my second visit, it was a completely different experience. This time I turned my attention away from the architecture and artistic displays, and refocused it on the inconspicuous pollinators along the boardwalk. I started the journey on 23rd street and 10th avenue and immediately I saw a bee on what I believe to be a Rosaceae plant. The bee was attracted to the inner most part where the pollen is located. As I walked towards 19th street I noticed that the bees were predominately settling on the parts of the plant with a lighter color. The bees were rarely nesting on the green plant leaves. Less common were the wasps, I managed to come across a wasp on the Rosaceae plant, but unlike the bee, its stripes are more defined and it was located on the green leaf rather than white bulb.
Other than bees and wasps, I also came across flies. The flies were harder to find because they moved around often and tended to blend with the green leaves. Most of the flies were on the tip of the leaf and towards the side closest to the boardwalk. Within a block’s distance of the fly was a ladybug. In comparison to the bees, wasps and flies, the ladybugs are less apparent. In fact, the insect was almost hidden within the leaf. Given the insect’s unusual green color, it was a bit ironic that the ladybug was hidden in a reddish colored leaf. The last of the pollinator species I came across were birds. The birds tended to nest either on the fence or on poles. I believe this is the case because the species of plants nearest to the fence is the Poaceae flora, which resembles tree branches, which birds use to create nests. In fact in the picture below it seems that the group of birds are working together to create their own habitat.
The highline is unique space that allows New Yorkers who want to escape the crowded streets of the city to enjoy a more serene stroll above the traffic. The highline does fit into Marris’ rambunctious garden. In her novel “Rambunctious Garden” she states “this garden isn’t restricted to parks and protected areas. Conservation can happen in parks, on farms, in the strips of land attached to rest stops…” (Marris 2). From this excerpt it is clear that the highline represents a rambunctious garden because it is not a secluded area of nature. Marris’ definition is inclusive of all and any type of nature that is set aside no matter the size. Given the small area of the highline, it can very well be a rambunctious garden because a major goal of the highline according to Stalter is to create a space for people and nature to interact. Based on the Stalter piece, the highline was an abandoned area that once served as a highway for freight trains, but with the organization “Friends of the High line” it became a “rambunctious garden” or a place where people and nature can coexist. I must admit that initially I did not think that the highline was in any way a “rambunctious garden,” because it seemed that the same plants were distributed throughout the entire highline. However, after reading Stalter’s work, I learned about the many species that thrive in the highline including the Poaceane, Rosaceane, Asteraceae etc. The highline may only have an area of 4.2 hectare, however it is the home to 163 total species and the embodiment of Marris’ rambunctious garden.
High Line/ Stalter
I have been to the High Line a few times before, but I had never noticed how large the population of pollinators was until my last excursion with Melanie. Even though it is early autumn now, insects were buzzing around flowers everywhere, luckily for us. It was clear from the start of our walk down the High Line that the park supported a diverse population of flora and fauna. Pollinators we saw included an array of bees, wasps, birds, flies, other insects and a moth. It was truly interesting to see which bugs liked which flowers. The pollinators clearly had preferences for certain nectars, and some flowers were definitely more popular than others.
The compass plant’s yellow flowers were a big favorite, drawing bumblebees, flies, moths, and wasps all over. Honeybees seemed the most tolerant of any kind of flower, going from asters to [pink flowers I cannot seem to identity] to white wild spurges. We did see other insects and beetles of which we were unsure whether we could label pollinator which are not included here.
I don’t think the High Line is as much of a Rambunctious Garden as I think Marris attempts to describe in her book, but I do see where the two share characteristics. The park is not in a place where plants are supposed to thrive, but we have brought them up unto where the old railroad tracks once were, “intervening” with Nature’s Way. The process has naturally brought more animal life and more plant life as we plant more blooms and people visit. It is very much a garden in the sense that the plants are cared for and monitored. As a public park, the High Line flora are maintained, and the structure of the park makes sure the plants have the right amount of water. However, the High Line is not as much of a hands on project where we introduce species like puzzle pieces from other areas. Plant diversity was high before the High Line became a managed park and caring for those plants is a focus of the High Line project. Besides this, the aim of the High Line is not to recreate an ecosystem, but just help make the previous landscape of the abandoned railway become more appealing and accessible to the public. The plantings here are mostly based on aesthetic value of the bright flowers and that feel of the abandoned railroad, while also keeping the native species as a priority. There is no active introduction of animal species as far as I can tell, and according to the park’s website, 161 of the 210 plants species of the part of the park we traversed are native to New York.
Many of the plants that were self-seeded (those not artificially introduced to that land by humans) before the High Line came to be integrated in the park. The statistics in the Stalter paper show that the High Line environment had really created itself and shown that it was ready to be developed before we realized that we could exploit it for our own interests.
The High Line & Richard Stalter
During my trip to the Highline, it was very windy which was unfortunate when it came to spotting pollinators in mid-flight. However, I was able to spot quite a few species hovering in and around the various plant-life on the sides of the walkway.I would have to say the most numerous or prevalent pollinator species seen that day were honeybees, carpenter bees and bumble bees. These species mostly hovered around flowering bushes that alternately sprung up along the walkway, so their presence was viewable throughout. I also saw smaller flies whose species I do not know the name of as well as a small bird species that gathered in groups underneath the bushes. Something that I also found interesting at the Highline was the sound of what I think was a grasshopper coming from a particular purple bush that was planted towards the end of the strip. On my past trips to the Highline, I only vaguely made note of the plant life around me in the routine of quickly walking by urban nature. This trip, I was able to actually able hear the life that existed in such a compact and yet densely inhabited space. Here are some of the pictures of my trip and the pollinators I was able to capture in their daily routine:
Before reading the Stalter article, I thought the Highline may be a good example of a rambunctious garden by Emma Marris’ definition, because she pushes us to see any and all plots of land where plant/ animal life exists as nature, whether its an open pasture or surrounded by the worlds highest skyscrapers. From my previous visits, I was prepared to blindly walk down the strip and acknowledge a static scene of plant-life. However after my visit and reading Richard Stalter article, I was made privy to just how much live existed at the Highline and how the fact that it was an urban garden potentially help to aid this biodiversity.
Originally, before the planned reconstruction of the Highline, it had sprouted various plant-life and become somewhat of a “pristine garden” due to its lack of human contact. However, what I got from Stalter’s article is that the fact that the Highline grew out of and into an urban area with the incorporation of human interaction has lead to its increased biodiversity. Seeds, soils and minerals spread by winds, humans and pollinators from across the local city area along with the changing environmental conditions has created a home for opportunistic plants as well as those that thrive best at certain parts of the Highline. What I found interesting and a testament to the affect of environmental conditions on certain species, was how at the 29th street section of the Highline, woody species thrived due to the shadiness of the area. All in all what I could conclude both from my visit and the Stalter article is that not only does nature exist in urban areas, but urban areas and human contact can actually be beneficial to nature in certain cases.
Richard Stalter’s piece changed my view of the rambunctious garden that Marris describes because it presented he case that nature should not be shut away from human contact and that such contact may be a boon to a natural environment. Rather than just appreciating the nature in the urban areas around us we should become a part of the natural community I helping it thrive.
High Line and Stalter
The High Line is a unique park situated on abandoned elevated railroad tracks parallel to 10th Avenue between 13th and 34th Streets. In the past, the tracks were considered an eyesore that lowered nearby property values (Stalter 388). With the many changes made to preserve and transform the tracks into a park, the High Line is a beautiful green space in the middle of concrete that is loved by New York City residents and tourists alike.
Last Thursday I visited the High Line for the second time with Jenny. Despite the fact that my two visits were only about 3 months apart, I was still able to see some changes in the scenery. Both visits I started around the 23rd Street entrance and ended at 30th Street. Due to the change in seasons, many of the wild grasses and plants were beginning to wilt and the leaves on the bushes and trees began to change color. What surprised me was that there were still wildflower blooming. Between 23rd Street and 26th Street there were many little patches of yellow wildflowers, white wildflowers, and purple wildflowers scattered between tall grasses. I found it interesting that one species of these flowers would dominate that specific patch; if it was a patch of white flower plants, the entire patch was of the white flowers. Some pollinators we found in these blooming areas were a few different species of bees, flies, and birds. I found the High Line to be consistent with Stalter’s study in terms of species diversity. I was able to see a large variety of species simply by walking through the park. The environment initially seemed more grassy and meadow like, but as I walked further north, the grass and bushes changed to bigger shrubs and larger plants, having a forest, woodsy feel to it. Yet when we walked further into more sunlit areas, the plants were more meadow like once again.
The High Line fits with Marris’ idea of a rambunctious garden. The High Line is certainly an example of a “half-wild” garden tended by humans (Marris 2). Before the High Line was transformed, there were already examples of primary succession found on the tracks, showing that nature was already reclaiming the space that humans no longer used (Stalter 388). After the High Line was transformed, humans help maintain and preserve the plants. As the plants on the park continue to grow and bloom, people help encourage its growth. The High Line is nature thriving in the middle of a city.
Visit to the High Line
What used to be an elevated commercial railroad built to transport goods for more than thirty years, High Line is now a popular site for New Yorkers and tourists alike. The railroad was abandoned after the emergence of the Interstate Highway System, which made transportation of goods much easier and efficient. Some parts of the railroad were destructed and the demolition of the High Line was preferred by the real estate owners of the property beneath it. It guaranteed an increase in its property value (388, Stalter). The Railbanking program and Friends of the High Line together worked to preserve and not only to preserve but to transform the railroad to a public walkaway that exists today.
The park runs from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Streeth between 10th and 11th Avenues. Starting with the first section in 2009 followed by the second section three years later, it is now building its last section of the park which will continue until West 34th Streets.
Walking on the High Line, I was completely surrounded by different green plants and flowers of all colors yet when I fixed my gaze to a distance not too far off I saw the city filled with crowded tall buildings and streets. This rather fits Marris’ idea of a rambunctious garden. The point of the park is not to restore the already damaged nature to its “pristine wilderness” but to create more and more nature on the planet just as it is . Instead of the park existing apart from humanity, it exists with it. Plant succession on the High Line resulted in a wide variety of plant species and consequently pollinators (388, Stalter). Many could be seen throughout my walk on the park.
I personally believe that the park is amazing. It is in the middle of the bustling city and gives so much contrast and a peaceful resting place in the midst of a routine-led, hectic life. And an example that nature does not have to be untouched to be nature. Taking an abandoned railroad, more nature was created in the middle of one of the busiest and advanced cities in the world.
The Highline
When you think of nature and greenery in Manhattan you automatically think of Central Park. To be honest, I had never heard of the Highline but it sure did make a lasting impression on me. An elevated area of flowers and plants is an incredible sight that quickly grasps your attention. Many people come to sit on the benches and enjoy the surroundings of the beautiful city as well as this sort of out of place patch of elevated nature. As I walked around the Highline, I was struck by its layout. There were distinct walking areas surrounded by vast amounts of nature. What I noticed was a manhole that was hidden by some plants. This shows that humans, even though they do allow the greenery to grow naturally, they do provide a proper drainage system to make sure the plants aren’t overflowed during rains.
The Highline, located on Tenth Avenue between Gansevoort Street and West 34th, was an elevated commercial rail line built in the 1930s used to carry rail traffic above the New York streets. Currently, it’s a vast green escape for New Yorkers from the typical city blocks that include nothing but skyscrapers and taxis. The Highline is filled with lichens, mosses, plants, flowers, pollinators as we as birds that pay the area a visit. Walking through the Highline was a great experience. The small strip of nature brought a sense of peacefulness, which is really difficult to find in the big apple. The diverse plants brought numerous bees and other insects to pollinate the greenery.
The Highline definitely fits into Marris’s concept of the rambunctious garden. Marris believes that humans shouldn’t impede nature but rather attempt to restore it to a specific baseline. The Highline was abandoned during the 1980s leading to lichens, forbs, grasses and woody vegetarian to grow uncontrollably and most importantly, naturally over the area. Further, humans have transported many foreign species to the area, making it a developed and diverse scenery. According to Stalter’s study, over 161 species as well as 122 genera in 48 families can be found at the Highline. These facts justify why the Highline can e described as a rambunctious garden. The Highline was allowed to develop on its own without human intervention as well as being populated by foreign species. Marris would appreciate the Highline for its vast diversity of species as well as its beauty in a city that doesn’t have much green outside of Central Park.
HighLine
The High Line, rail line turned park, is situated on New York City’s West Side running along downtown Manhattan. It is home to vegetation and tourists. Both come from various corners of the world, but they all end up on a beautiful walkway. Plant species of all shape, sizes, and colors can be found on a great view of the city. The expansive plant life here at the High Line has flourished due to the help of supportive non-profit organizations such as the Friends of High Line and nature’s natural helpers. These natural helpers consist of several pollinators, including species such as bees, flies, and birds.
I have visited the high line several times before and the park still amazes me. The architectural design turns the park into a cultural tourist attraction for many. The park includes benches, several eateries, and even a glass overview of the traffic below. There is always music playing by the bands and musicians who come to play every time I visit. Some people even come to spend their time reading and sunbathing. The true beauty of the High Line is even further proven by the wedding couple and their photographer going around the park probably adding to their wedding album.
On my most recent visit to the High Line, the wind was quite strong. Nevertheless, I happened to come across the previously mentioned natural supporters. The bees flew from flower to flower, plant to plant, sometimes flowing with the current of the wind. After a quickly collecting some nectar, they would seamlessly float to the next plant. Once the temperature rose, more insects appeared. It was strange to see several areas lacked some pollinators. This is probably due to the different species or the interaction of human beings. I came across this one plant species where all three species of pollinators cohabited. Bees and flies flew from flower to flower without any disturbance. As I passed by, I noticed something inside the bussel of leaves. Birds were inside, sitting on the branches. Oddly enough, one of the birds didn’t seem to mind my photo taking. It is thanks to these pollinators that pollen and sometimes even seeds get passed on from plant to plant from all over the city.
Stalter’s paper, The Flora of the High Line describes the High Line in a way I find it very different from my own experiences. The High Line, according to Stalter, has several environmental variables including tall buildings that shade some plant life and human beings transporting seeds and cutting vegetation. However, the paper goes on to say that human beings leave tires, bottles and additional trash. On my experiences, I have not even noticed a single piece of trash among the plants or even on the board walks. The park seems quite clean and it retains its natural beauty amongst the jungle of the city. I do agree with the fact that since the park is present in an urban setting, it provides an example of Marris’ goal for a “rambunctious garden.” Numerous species of plant life dwell in the confides of a single park. Species of animals and insects live here and provide natural support to the well-being of the High Line. Human beings themselves seem to be quite respectful to their surroundings nowadays and any deliberate harmful interference is left at the lower street levels of Chelsea.
The High Line Response
I visited the High Line on September 20, 2012. It is a long strip of land ranging from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues. The High Line was built in the early 1930s as an elevated commercial rail line to carry congestive rail traffic above New York City streets. The High Line that I visited has been completely transformed since the railroad was abandoned. Now, the High Line is a beautiful path of nature that lives in the busiest city in the world. It really shows that even in a city as crowded, polluted, and urban as New York City, there can still exist a section of diverse plant life coexisting.
I feel that the High Line does fit many of Emma Marris’ concepts in “Rambunctious Garden.” It is a great example of humans working to preserve nature in a urbanized city like New York. It shows that even though humans have had influences all around the city, there can still be a strip of nature. The diverse species of flowers and pollinators are amazing to see in New York. The High Line goes with Emma Marris’ idea of connecting nature with humans rather than creating a distinct separation between the two. Furthermore, Richard Stalter’s article, “The flora on the High Line, New York City, New York,” supports the fact that the High Line does follow Emma Marris’ idea of the “rambunctious garden.” He states that “Human visitors to the High Line have probably inadvertently transported seeds to the site, a source of new species.” (Stalter 387) This shows that rather than claiming the High Line as tainted and unnatural because it has been affected by human actions, the High Line’s high species diversity is, in part, because of humans interacting with nature. The High Line is a clear example of nature that has been altered by humans, but is still considered to be pristine in its own way. The High Line has some of the most diverse plant species found in New York and is a common attraction. People appreciate the fact that there is a serene bed of nature along the streets of New York and I think that this is exactly what Marris was describing in “Rambunctious Garden.”
I think that the High Line is becoming a vital part of New York City. In the busy streets of New York, where people are yelling and screaming, it is nice to go to a calm and quiet place where there are flowers and bumblebees. There are not many places in New York City where people can see so many different types of pollinators in one place. The High Line has been a great addition to New York City since it represents the coexistence of nature and urbanization.
High Line and Stalter
The High Line is an elevated public park built on a freight rail. It is located on 10th Avenue, running between the 13th and 34th street. It contains about 20 blocks of area. I visited the High Line on September 22, 2012 at 3:00pm. It was an amazing experience since it was the first time I visited it. In my opinion, the park is the combination of nature, aesthetic, and humanity. With various plants on the side, artistic rock benches and fixtures and walkway create a beautiful and pleasant aura for visitors to enjoy their walk. The park is also full of different species of pollinators that fly from plant to plant. I could only encounter a few species of pollinators. I noticed a large amount of bees throughout the park, with small amounts of birds and other insects.
The High Line carried commercial freight form 1934 to 1980. It became abandoned when Interstate highway system encouraged truck transportation that led to the decline in rail freight. When the High Line was abandoned, Friends of the High Line fought to preserve the High Line from being demolished. Due to their effort, the High Line became a public park and pedestrian walkway that contains a high diversity of flora and fauna.
When the High Line was first created, it accumulated a shallow level of soil and organic matters as a result of the cycles of growth and death of the pioneer plants (Stalter 390). As materials and trash are being smothered into the soil and plants by train and wind, the mineral abundance of the soil increased. Also, soil compaction and fire led to greater soil quality. New species were introduced due to unintentional transport of seeds by human visitation. When Friends of the High Line transformed the abandoned rail into the High Line public park, species were introduced on newly deposited volcanic ash on sites where plants did not exist (Stalter 388). The history of human intervention created a variety of habitats that contributed to the species richness of the park today.
The High Line is a great example of a rambunctious garden. As Emma Marris stated, “Rambunctious gardening is proactive and optimistic; it creates more and more nature as it goes, rather than just building walls around the nature we have left” (Marris 3). In other words, rambunctious garden is to allow human to work with nature instead of restoring our environment to its pristine look. We are to create green spaces by selecting the desired plants and/or maintaining the plants that are there already to create a “garden” of biodiversity. In a sense, the High Line is a garden because the New York City parks department maintains it. In a garden, we water our plants and decide which species to stay in the space to achieve our goal, whether it is to enhance the beauty of the property or to increase the biodiversity of the garden. The same goes with the High Line, plants were selected to plant in the area and some species were maintained to achieve a rambunctious garden that has a high biodiversity.
High Line & Stalter
The High Line, situated on an abandoned elevated railroad track along 10th Avenue, is stark contrast from the streets and traffic below on the West Side of Manhattan. During a simple stroll down the park’s pathway, it is easy to be transported away from the fast-paced city to a tranquil garden.
The abundant patches of flowers that line the path of both sides of the park attract a variety of pollinators. During my visit on September 20, it was hard to find any other pollinators other than a variety of bees. The cool breeze, coupled with the fact that I toured the area in the late afternoon (3:30PM-5:00PM), made both finding and capturing pictures of pollinators slightly more challenging. It was easiest to find pollinators in the vibrantly colored flowers in the Wildflower Field between 26th and 29th Streets, the Chelsea Grasslands by 18th Street and the Diller-Von Furstenberg Sundeck and Water Feature by 16th Street, especially uninhibited sunlight shined on the flora.
The High Line exemplifies Marris’s idea of a “rambunctious garden” well. According to Marris, the “rambunctious garden is everywhere…in parls. On farms, in the strips of land attached to rest stops and fast-food joints, …even in city traffic circles” (2). The rambunctious garden is one that takes advantage of what an area has to offer and transforms it into a sustainable form of “nature”, or as close to nature as it can become. The conversion of old railroad tracks into what is now the High Line park shows how nature can be created anywhere, even amidst the streets of New York City. With the help of pollinators, including the bumble and honey bees that enjoy the sweet pollen of the planted flora, the various species of plants are able to thrive year after year. Marris supports creating and embracing nature that may not be “pristine”. Despite the fact that the plants in the High Line were placed in the artificially made park, it can still be considered more natural than most any other part of urbanized New York City.
The findings in the Stalter piece show just how successful Marris’s version of “nature” can be in an urban area. With just a bit of hard work, the Friends of the High Line foundation was able to cultivate “161 species in 122 genera in 48 families” of flora (Stalter 388). More than half of these species are native to New York as well, proving that it is possible to recreate conditions to help restore some lost nature. Surprisingly, Stalter’s research found the High Line to have a “species richness…greater than species richness at four nearby New York City sites…[and] may have one of the highest levels of species richness (38.8 sp/ha) of any temperature zone urban environment in the region” (389). Stalter’s data shows how well the flora in the High Line are flourishing and how much it resembles the natural flora makeup of a New York City patch of nature despite the fact that it was crafted by humans.
High Line and Stalter
I visited the High Line for the first time on September 20th. After my visit to the High Line, I can definitely say that it is a fantastic place for people to relax and enjoy the scenery around the place. In fact, there was a very peaceful atmosphere on the High Line. Many people were just sitting on the benches or enjoying the surroundings on this elevated railroad. They also did not seem to mind the many pollinators scattered throughout the High Line. While people were relaxing and enjoying the scenery, my group and I were seeking out for pollinators in the area.
The High Line is a place filled with many different plants, insects, birds, and other species. While I could not find many stationary birds in the area, there were quite a number of insects. Of course, many of these insects were pollinators. One of the more common pollinators on the High Lines was the bee. The bees were often found on the pedals of brightly colored flowers including lavender pedals and white-color pedals. I often saw bees with different color and size on various plants, so this shows some of the diversity in the High Line. There were also other insects in the area including a ladybug-like insect and a small orange insect. These pollinators were sometimes difficult to spot due to their small presence.
The High Line is also a great example of a “rambunctious garden.” In Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World, Marris describes rambunctious gardens happening everywhere in the world. Instead of building walls around nature, people live and interact with the nature. When I saw the High Lines with my group of classmates, I noticed how seamless people interacted with nature. People were not really isolated from the city or from nature. Instead, people seem to be living with nature and accepting what they see on the High Line. It was refreshing to see this. However, this “rambunctious garden” is not perfect. I noticed that there was a small green wire that fenced the plants to the side of the High Line. In a way, this shows some separation between people and nature.
Stalter’s article on the diversity of the High Line supports the idea of a “rambunctious garden.” According to Stalter, humans have greatly influenced the High Line by transporting seeds into the area and by trampling and cutting vegetation. Some people will argue that the High Line is not “pristine” for these two reasons. They are right because the High Line is far from pristine. Many of the species in the High Line were probably accidently transported from a distant land. Even though the High Line may not be “pristine,” it has a peaceful atmosphere where humans and all types of species can interact in the area. This idea of people and nature coexisting and living together definitely supports the idea of a “rambunctious garden.” Perhaps this is the direction we can take to conserve nature in the future.
The High Line
Exploring the High Line this week was a truly eye-opening experience for me, especially being that I had never gone there before. My first impression was that while the elevated park seemed to be well maintained by humans, it also appeared to be an entity in and of itself. The High Line seemed to be more “wild” than other parks I had visited. The plants seemed to be growing in a manner that was less concerned with aesthetics, but more of a natural pattern for them to grow. Some species were even growing out onto the pathway and interfering with human traffic. This was a stark contrast to the seemingly permanent and definite lines between “nature” and “humanity” seen in other parks. There seems to always be a clear boundary between walking paths and nature in other parks, while at the High Line the boundary seemed to be skewed in places. Another thing that struck me about the High Line was the presence of the old railroad tracks. It was interesting to see how the wildlife had taken over these relics of days gone by and grown around and in some cases even through the tracks. I think the High Line overall, and especially the case of the railroad tracks, relates to Emma Marris’ concept of a “Rambunctious Garden.” By definition, something is rambunctious if it is lively and high-spirited. I think that Marris is using this word in the sense that her concept of nature is life in places you would least expect it. Nature doesn’t have to be a pristine forest untouched by human hands, but can be an elevated park, with various plants growing around man-made objects such as railroad tracks.
One of my first impressions of the High Line was that while it was a really interesting place, there seemed to be a lack of variety in the species there. I walked the entire length of the path and felt that a majority of the wildlife looked quite similar. I was surprised when I read the Stalter article to learn that the High Line is one of the most diverse areas of New York City. There are more species per hectare on the High Line than on Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and Bayswater State Park. This was even more impressive when I thought about how hard it must be for species to adapt to such a different environment like the High Line. For there to be more species there than in some of the most well-known “nature” areas of the city is quite remarkable.
Along my journey through the High Line I took note of any native pollinators I saw. For the most part there seemed to be high quantities of bumblebees wherever there was a patch of flowers. The bumblebee community seemed to be spread across the length of the High Line. I also noticed some type of beetle towards the southern part of the park. They were orange and black in color and at one point about 50 were swarmed onto a single plant. I’m not sure how much pollinating these creatures do as it was unclear if they could fly, but I found it interesting that there was a cluster of so many of them.
Stalter, Marris, and the High Line
So far, we have discussed Emma Marris’s Rambunctious Garden extensively, a book that criticizes old-fashioned efforts of conservation and considers a new image of nature, existing in our very own backyards, from rural to urban places. Additionally, as background for this assignment, we read Richard Stalter’s The flora on the High Line, a piece that aims to “document the licens, bryophytes and vascular plants present at the High Line” by listing data sets on the different species that exist on the High Line (389). My visit to the High Line confirmed much of what Stalter said in terms of the species diversity at the High Line, and it supported Marris’s concept of a rambunctious garden, although not entirely.
Pollinators such as birds and honey bees were present along with a diverse population of plants throughout the High Line. Colors and variations of the plants had a wide range, from grasslands full of red forbs to tall, ordinarily colored thickets full of shrubs. This follows in line with what Stalter calls the two main “plant communities exist[ing] on the High Line, the forb/grassland community and successional thicket community” (389).
In the second picture, you can see the dominance of two types of forb sections adjacent to one another. This diversity is found throughout the High Line, as is shown in the other pictures shown here. Also, the presence of shrub and grassland communities side-by-side in some places verifies Stalter when he says that shurbs were “components of both the forb/grassland and…thicket communities described above” (389).
The High Line’s species richness is due to humans, who have “probably inadvertently transported seeds to the site, a source of new species,” according to Stalter. This would also probably fall in line with Marris’s rambunctious garden, which certainly emphasizes human involvement in nature and a history of invasive, nonnative species all around the world.
However, the “selective maintenance to arrest plant succession [that] will be needed to maintain and preserve the present assemblage of vascular plant species” that Stalter describes is too similar to the ironic controlled wildernesses that Marris encounters and highlights in a negative light in her book (388). Yet, does this maintenance and conservation relate to the idea of pristine nature that Marris uses so heavily as a point of criticism? It certainly could, but the High Line is half wilderness and half for tourists, like Yellowstone Park – I don’t think Marris would completely support the High Line’s existence.
The High Line was essentially abandoned and left to various species to colonize the area and form communities successively; and now, it is a popular tourist destination and place of “natural beauty” for all New Yorkers to freely enjoy, surrounded by condominiums and construction. Even if Marris thinks that the natural beauty of a place like this is a flawed, politically correct image, I can’t help but think instinctually that the High Line should be conserved for exactly that.
High Line
On Thursday September 20, I went to visit the High Line with a few of my classmates. The High Line is an elevated railroad that was used to carry freight between buildings up until the 1980s. It is located between 10th and 11th avenue and runs from Gansevoort Street to West 34th street. The High Line was in threat of being demolished in the early 2000s but a group called Friends of the High Line decided that it needed to be saved. They vouched for the High Line to be transformed into a public park and construction on this project began in June 2006, with the first section of the park opening in 2009.
The High Line is a very interesting and beautiful place. It is so unusual to see so much nature not only in an urban environment, but also living and thriving on something that had an industrial use. What makes the High Line even more interesting are the findings of the study called “The Flora of the High Line” by Richard Statler. This study found that the High Line actually has a very high amount of species diversity. In fact, the High Line had more species per hectare than Ellis Island, Liberty Island, Hoffman Island, and Bayswater State Park. These findings are hard to believe because one would think that there would be not that many species in such an urban environment. The species diversity at the High Line really makes me appreciate it more.
The High Line fits Emma Marris’ concept of a “Rambunctious Garden.” Marris’ main point is that we should not isolate nature is a so-called pristine state, but let nature adapt to its modern surroundings. Marris argues that nature is very resilient and can survive in urban environments and that it is better to practice this kind of conservation rather than isolating nature. The High Line proves Marris’ point that nature is resilient and can adapt. Even though it is located in a very urban area, the High Line has species diversity and hosts many pollinators.
The High Line is one of the finer points in New York City. It provides a nice retreat to a quiet area that is still in the city. It is home to a variety of species that would not have been in that area of the city if not for the High Line. The High Line is a marvel of nature that adds a lot of value to New York City.
sources:
http://www.thehighline.org/about/high-line-history
Statler, Richard. “The Flora of the High Line.” The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society 131.4 (2004): 387-393. Print.
The High Line
I have found myself at the High Line about ten times since its opening, primarily to stroll around, rest, and take pictures. Most of the time I completely ignored the different species that inhabit the High Line and focused on the architecture and buildings surrounding the place. Paying specific attention to the different plant and insect species around the High Line made me realize how rich nature actually is on the High Line.
I primarily walked around the Chelsea area of the High Line and was surprised by the number of different plants and insects in the section. I mainly saw different species of bees, butterflies and flies flying around and pollinating different fall plants. I took the bulk of my pictures near the 23rd street entrance where there were plenty of bees around what appeared to be some Autumn Bride hairy alumroots, lesser calamints, and several other grasses and plants. The bees were primarily bumblebees (I think), one with a darker abdomen and one with yellow and black belts. There was also a fly that I could not identify that was restingon a leaf near some grasses.
After looking at the High Line with the scope of a “rambunctious garden,” I think that the High Line is a great example of the concept. A rambunctious garden should be nature that is half let free to operate on its own and half managed by humans. However, at first sight, the High Line could be seen as managed by humans a little too much. Many plant species are sectioned off and not exactly allowed to grow “wildly,” but the redeeming factor is that the renovation of the High Line tracks focused on planting most of the native species and resistant species that grew on the rails before. Allowing the native species to grow while “gardening” the area to fit in an urban environment makes the High Line a good example of the rambunctious garden.
The information in Statler’s paper does not change my viewpoint of the High Line being a rambunctious garden. Before the renovation of the High Line, the tracks were rambunctious because of human activity, meaning that our presence changed the composition of the ecosystem by making it very species diverse. With the renovations, we see an actual “gardening” aspect of human influence on the ecosystem. By renovating the area, the High Line became more suitable for the urban environment, and instead of being destroyed, it preserved many native species on the track. Statler’s paper does provide interesting information on how the High Line’s current plant population is so diverse.
The High Line & Stalter
I have been to the High Line several times. It is a park created on abandoned railroad tracks, currently stretching from 10th Avenue, West 13th Street to West 34th Street. The idea of a beautiful oasis or Marris’ “rambunctious garden” in the midst of bustling New York City is riveting, making it a hot tourist attraction. The fact that this is all on vintage railways makes it even more fascinating. People and nature come together. Many would enjoy its variety of flora and fauna. I did, but never paid close attention to them at an ecological standpoint. This assignment certainly opened my eyes to the different species of plants and animals on the High Line, and how they interact with one another. I was particularly interested in several species of pollinators.
I went to visit the High Line on September 20th, from 1pm to 3pm. There was evidence that Fall was just around the corner. It was windy with the temperature at mid 70s… Some flora had dried out. There were leaves on the ground and trees were changing color. Hence, it was surprising for me to find various species of bees pollinating flowers. In fact, I found different types of bees pollinating the same flora. Two types of pollinators I observed were the bumble bee and the honey bee. The first honey bee I saw was darker in color. It was pollinating the asteraceae flora. According to Stalter, the asteraceae is one of “largest families of flora” present on the High Line. The second honey bee I saw was more yellow in color, pollinating purple colored flora and rosa multiflora. The bumble bee was pollinating the same flora.
This eye-opening visit to the High Line made me acknowledge its great diversity. As I walked through the park, I saw different insects including bees, crickets, pill bugs, flies, and butterflies. I also saw birds frolicking in between the grass. At the same time, there were so many people walking through the High Line. There were also people having lunch on their terraces next to the High Line. After reading Marris’ Rambunctious Garden, I looked at the park with a whole new perspective. Not only is it a pretty place to relax and enjoy the view, it demonstrates an anthropocene. Humans walk through these grasslands. At the same time, they are disturbing ecosystems by “trash deposition, trampling, soil compaction and fire” (Stalter 390). Although these activities are not necessarily good things, they create the High Line we see today – changing habitats that account for diversity. With every visit to the High Line in the future, I will definitely close attention to the variety of flora and fauna in the middle of New York City.
The Highline
My very own rambunctious garden, right in my backyard—who would’ve thought? The Highline, a converted elevated railway track on Tenth Avenue between Gansevoort Street and West 34th, is an unexpected strip of nature in our concrete jungle. Once I walked up the steel steps overlooking the brick buildings that surround it, the Highline instantaneously transported me to a different place entirely. This walk of flora is home to various birds and bees, plants and pollinators. The variety of flowers and plants attract a diverse population of bees and insects—all of which buzzed freely among the greenery and around our heads.
In regard to Emma Marris’ idea of a “Rambunctious Garden,” I believe The Highline is just that. This strip of nature epitomizes the anthropocene that Marris discusses in her novel. Nature and humanity interact at the Highline, which not only exemplifies an anthropocene, but urban ecology. Not only is this area an attraction to tourists and residents for its aesthetic appeal, but this anthropocenic environment is medicinal to us city-dwellers looking for a little wildlife. This rambunctious garden was manmade, sure, but that’s beside the point. What matters most about The Highline is its function as a place for people to conserve and connect with nature.
Though I understand Richard Stalter’s argument about the transformation of The Highline’s natural evolutionary development during its days of abandonment, I don’t believe that the manmade garden was necessarily detrimental in any way. Stalter, in my opinion, comes off as one of the more extreme or intense conservationists who favor a laissez-faire ecosystem. I, on the other hand, acknowledge that an untouched area like the once-abandoned railway may have boasted more ecological or bio-diversity, but its functionality was zero to none. The interaction, or “engineering”, of the environment by man may be unnatural to an extent, but it’s a modern concept that allowed for a beneficial and highly popular park in Manhattan. In this case specifically, I agree that species introduction and transportation is positive. Nature can now be better experienced and appreciated due to the introduction of plants and animals, native or not, to that railway. The Highline is an escape from our concrete jungle, that I’ll be sure to visit time and again.
The High Line and Stalter
On Thursday, September 20th, 2012, I visited the High Line for the first time. I must admit that I was a bit surprised by the atmosphere. I could not believe how this one strip of land had developed in an urban neighborhood. The contrast between the High Line and its surrounding neighborhood was remarkable.
While visiting the High Line, I took many pictures of pollinators in the area. There were many different species of pollinators including bees, flies, and butterflies. One of the more common pollinators was the eastern bumble bee, which was found pollinating the compass plant near West 21st Street. Another common pollinator was the honey bee, which was found pollinating the broadleaf ironweed near West 16th Street. The long-horned bee was another common pollinator, which was found pollinating the compass plant near West 19th Street. Another common pollinator was the leafcutter bee, which was found pollinating the aromatic aster near West 12th Street. In addition to bees, there were many flies that were pollinating plants in the area. For example, there were green flies and cluster flies. These flies were seen on many sections throughout the High Line but were too quick to capture on camera. Another pollinator that was seen but not captured on camera was a white butterfly and a butterfly that was orange and had black spots. One interesting note about the pollinators on the High Line was that many of the species coexisted and did not seem to dominate over one particular area.
The High Line definitely fits into Marris’s concept of Rambunctious Garden. This is because Marris preaches that no ecosystem is pristine. She takes a laissez-faire approach to ecosystem management and believes that humans should not interfere with ecosystems and attempt to restore them to a specific baseline. Marris finds beauty in the new ecosystems that are being created today. She would definitely think of the High Line in a positive way. This is because the ecosystem on the High Line developed naturally after the railroad that used to run there was abandoned in 1980. Primary succession is occurring on the High Line and there are many lichens, shrubs, and mosses that have developed in the area, as shown by Richard Stalter. In addition, humans have transported foreign species to the area and have altered the habitat. However, as Stalter points out, these human alterations might explain why the High Line has one of the most diverse species populations in New York City. Stalter’s study shows that the High Line contains at least 161 species in 122 genera and 48 families and that the High Line has greater species richness than four nearby New York City sites including Bayswater State Park and Ellis Island. These facts show that the High Line would definitely fit into Marris’s concept of Rambunctious Garden. This is because the High Line has been allowed to develop on its own with very little interference and is still a beautiful place. In addition, people have added invasive species to the High Line and have altered it, but it still functions beautifully. Although it is not pristine, it is still naturally beautiful and very high in species diversity. Marris would consider the High Line to be a beneficial novel ecosystem.
Stalter’s research definitely has changed my viewpoint on ecology. This is because it is very interesting to see that a habitat could develop in an urban area and still be very rich in species diversity. His article makes me realize that there is no need for constant maintenance of ecosystems because they can develop on their own. Therefore, after reading the Stalter article and visiting the High Line, I believe my view on ecosystems has drawn closer to Marris’s view.
I think what was done to the High Line was a great idea. Abandoning the railroad and turning it into a pedestrian walkway is great for the city. Not only does it attract tourists, but it also attracts new and exotic species to the area. The High Line allows ecologists to study primary succession in an urban environment. It also acts as an escape for New Yorkers who want to get away from the stresses of urban life. In addition, the High Line can act as a prototype for the development of similar areas in other cities. All in all, I believe the High Line is great for New York City.
The Highline
Walking through The Highline, a bustling, new park created from an abandoned railroad track running along 10th avenue from West 34th Street to Gansevoort Street in the Meatpacking District, it’s hard to picture it as anything but a tourist attraction. However, if you take a closer look, it becomes apparent that The Highline is also home to a number of unique plant and pollinator species. Different sections of the walkway feature a variety of different plants and flowers, along with which come the pollinators – in any given area where there are flowers, there are groups of bees and other insects circling the area.
The Highline, in my opinion, is a perfect example of Emma Marris’ idea of a “Rambunctious Garden”. Here, in the middle of a crowded New York City, sits an elevated park surrounded by nature you can’t find anywhere else in the vicinity. Plants, flowers, and trees line the sides of the busy park, as tourists and residents alike line the walkways, admiring the nature, the views, taking in some sun, among other leisurely activities. This combination of people and nature is exactly the essence of the kind of anthropocene that Marris imagines, one in which each compliments the other. The nature of The Highline is one of its main attractions for people, and those same people are the ones helping preserve that natural element of the park. Instead of a world where people and nature are constantly at odds, creating a “rambunctious garden” such as The Highline combines the best of both worlds, allowing us to live with nature while also preserving it.
Richard Stalter’s article about the flora of The Highline, which existed long before the transformative project took place, does not do much to change my opinion regarding the rambunctious garden that has been created as a result. Although Stalter’s article mentions a number of various species and families of plants that have sprung up on The Highline as a result of its long abandon, I don’t think that this project has taken away from it’s natural composition. Before, while it may have been more ecologically diverse and untouched, it was basically an abandoned wasteland in the middle of the city. It had no recreational or aesthetic value, so it was largely a waste of space. With this new project, although largely ‘engineered’ in the sense of which species were introduced to the area, it’s natural element was preserved and even actively enhanced. This new Highline creates the perfect balance of nature and human recreation, which I see as a great idea for the future of our conservation efforts, especially in urban settings such as New York City.
Post 9/22/12: High Line Park
The High Line Park is an exquisite example of a metropolitan take on nature. Situated atop an abandoned railway, the longitudinal park is filled with various sorts of flora, from grass and flowers to shout and sturdy trees. The plants are not randomly dispersed about the railway, as the trees are concentrated to a shaded area near the north end of the park, while smaller growths can be seen in patches throughout the area.
Many of the pictures taken here are situated at around 20th Street and under (the fuller growths on the northward end made for poor images with my shoddy photography).
Evidently, a large quantity of my pictures taken included bees as the pollinator of choice. This is due to their larger bodies (relative to the tiny flies) and their yellow-black contrast made them easier targets for photography. Were I an actual biologist, I’d hazard my photographic skills would not get me far. Nevertheless, I also captured an image of (presumably) butterflies, white, fluttery and commonly seen flitting from place to place within the metropolis (they might be moths; if so then my mistake).
That one was a small bird, a youngling I presumed, and though it is probably not a pollinator, it was a convenient photo to take nonetheless. Photography is an art form, and that one was nice (compared to the other few dozen failures fortunately not seen here).
And yes, I was there. Although it has apparently been a significant amount of time since my last incursion; I did not recall small food stands in one of the underpasses on my last trip. I don’t think it’s a terribly intrusive addition to the park, but it does limit the traffic somewhat.
The High Line Park is a modest example of what Marris wishes to establish as a Rambunctious Garden. It is a space that, instead of being carelessly cut down for scrap (which would be a task in its own right), was refurbished to attract wildlife. Granted, it was already encouraging a variety of flora prior to its renovation, suggested by Stalter that it was partially due to the uncommon human traffic upon the closed system. It is not assisted migration per se, though it bears some semblance of rewilding. In fact, it may very well be the preservationist idea that Marris is so vehemently trying to discourage. And yet, perhaps because of its recent baseline, one couldn’t really call it a preserve in the conventional sense of using a much older baseline (pre-Columbian or pre-Anthropocene, for instance).
There was likely some destruction of such “pest” species in the construction of the High Line, as well as some research into what was “naturally” there when it became derelict. From what I could gather, it did seem more limited than the catalogue that Stalter was able to scrounge up. Of course, I’m no plant expert, so similar plants may have been recorded and I could have simply overlooked their subtleties. Yet, given all of the wildlife it has attracted (birds, some insects, a TON OF BEES, and a dragonfly that was persistently hovering over my head the entire time), who’s to say new species won’t enter the park in due time?
Thus, the High Line is something of a compromise between preservationists and Marris. There was destruction and displacement of some species, while others were reintroduced and/or encouraged. There was a presumed baseline for the renovation, yet it is recent enough to be accepting of some of Marris’ nonconventional ideas. It may not be what Marris envisioned—not by a long shot—but it’s a start, and with potential global catastrophes looming, any foothold is a good lead.
High Line/Statler
When Emma Marris talks about the “Rambunctious Garden,” she stresses the concept of “creating more nature” by avoiding the notion that the only areas that can be appreciated as nature are those that are as pristine as they were long ago. In an interview for her book, Rambunctious Garden, Marris shows viewers a patch of land between two roads that many might not consider to be “nature”. She opposes this view throughout her book, however, and stresses the importance of appreciating the nature that surrounds us, whether that be “pristine wilderness” or not.
The patch of land Marris shows us in her interview is comparable to the High Line as both areas are surrounded by urban, industrialized structures and have been managed by humans. I have a new found appreciation for such places as the High Line that are only made possible through human intervention. Prior to recognizing the High Line as one of these places, I was skeptical regarding the concept of “selective maintenance” that is so necessary in these places (Statler). I now recognize the true beauty and wonders of such places that, without human intervention, would not be able to host such vast biodiversity as the High Line does. The High Line is a prime example of Marris’ approach to what can be classified as nature. Even though the High Line does not look identical to, nor remotely close to, what it looked like thousands of years ago, it is still a place where one can observe nature.
Although approximately 50% of the Highline’s species are native and this aspect is not essential for Marris’ classification of a place as nature, the majority of the High Line’s characteristics are parallel to Marris’ perspectives. One such parallel idea is the idea that “the factors and forces involved with community development at the High Line may be similar to the factors and forces associated with primary succession” (Statler). Marris brings up the concepts of assisted migration or rewilding that also contribute to natural cycles such as growth from grass to shrubs and trees. Humans have had a significant impact throughout the High Line’s history, both during its time as a railway and now through the “Friends of the Highline’s” maintenance of the park.
After my eye-opening visit to the High Line, my opinions regarding human intervention were further reinforced by Statler’s paper. I was pleased to learn that “the High Line may have one of the highest levels of species richness (38.8 sp/ha) of any temperate zone urban environment in the region,” (Statler), despite not being untouched
or unaffected by humans. Human intervention, on the contrary, may be among the factors that have enabled the region to be so diverse. According to Statler, “several factors may contribute to the high vascular plant species diversity on the High Line,” ranging from “human visitation” to “trampling and soil compaction” as their combined influence “may account for the multiplicity of everchanging habitats which may account for high species diversity on the High Line” (Statler).
Upon first being introduced to human maintenance of nature, I was skeptical of the concept.
After revisiting the High Line, a place I enjoy bringing visitors from Sweden, a country where nature is often as rambunctious as Marris describes it as, I recognized that a favorite place of mine is indeed one of these places that are only made possible through the human intervention that Emma Marris describes in Rambunctious Garden.