Has Reduced Air Pollution as a Result of COVID-19 Really Caused a Return of Wildlife?

Group Members: Darley Verdesoto, Emily Rodriguez, Yamina Attab, and Rene Yaroshevsky

We consider the relationship between reduced pollution levels associated with COVID-19 and increased wildlife activity. We observe the relationship between pollution levels (as measured by the Air Quality Index) in 2015 and 2019, and compare that to 2020 pollution levels. Our data, obtained from the Environmental Protection Agency’s AQI report, demonstrates a reduction in pollution levels after the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. We then compare these pollution levels with hawk and beetle sightings, obtained from iNaturalist, during the same periods. Our comparison shows that when the Air Quality Index was just a point higher, there was a significantly lower number of hawk and beetle sightings. The data demonstrates a drastic increase in both hawk and beetle sightings throughout NYC in the months that mark the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such a large increase in hawk and beetle sightings hints at the relationship between reduced pollution and increased wildlife activity in New York City. Perhaps, measures to reduce air pollution levels will bring about the return of wildlife that has been long-absent throughout the city.