ROBERT MOSES Ecological Impact on New York Ecological

ROBERT MOSES: Ecological Impact on New York

Ecological Impact n Positive? n Negative?

THE NEGATIVE n Cross Bronx Expressway Constructing the expressway required blasting through ridges, crossing valleys and redirecting rivers…

THE NEGATIVE n Other highway projects include: Henry Hudson Parkway n Southern and Northern State Parkways n Grand Central Parkway n Cross Island Parkway n Long Island Expressway n Meadowbrook Parkway n

THE NEGATIVE n Precipitated decline of public transportation through disinvestment and neglect

THE NEGATIVE n Hunter Island Perpetuated 56 -year-long policy of deforestation Resulting in the eradication of the American chester from the island

THE NEGATIVE - RESULTS n n Deforestation and the discouragement of public transportation could have lead to an increased carbon footprint for NYC at that time City retains only slightly more than half (57. 4%) of its native plant diversity n Complete eradication of species from some areas

THE POSITIVE n Parks and Beaches Oak Beach n Jones Beach n Orchard Beach n Wildwood State Park n Sunken Meadow State Park n Robert Moses State Park n Wildlife Refuge, Fire Island n

THE POSITIVE n Robert Moses State Park Sustains aquatic life Welcoming habitat Safety for humans

THE POSITIVE n NY Aquarium -Occupies 14 acres by the sea in Coney Island -Boasts over 350 species of aquatic wildlife. -Mission is to raise public awareness about issues facing the ocean and its inhabitants

THE POSITIVE n Contributions to Central Park Zoo n Conservatory Garden n Great Lawn n n Preserve and maintain plant and animal species

THE POSITIVE n Between 1933 and 1968, Moses increased park acreage from 14, 000 to 34, 673 acres n n n Parks Department built 17 miles of beach Increased green land is healthier for plants, and in turn, for humans Better habitats for wildlife

THE POSITIVE n n BIODIVERSITY Today, NY is home to: 10, 000 s of insect species n 300+ species of birds n 100 s of fish species n 100+ native mammal species n 70 species of amphibians n

THE POSITIVE n n n RARE SPECIES In NY State Parks alone, 900 occurrences of 359 rare species were found Nearly 75% of State Parks surveyed support at least one rare species!

CONCLUSION n It depends on one’s perspective!