New York -- before the City | Eric Sanderson

Summary

The speaker recounts the Mannahatta Project, a 10-year endeavor to reconstruct Manhattan's ecology as it was in 1609. Using historical maps and ecological data, they digitally recreate the island's diverse habitats, revealing a rich biodiversity. The project visualizes past landscapes and contemplates a future city design that integrates nature, emphasizing the interconnectivity of urban and natural environments.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The Mannahatta Project aims to rediscover the ecological landscape of New York City as it was on September 12th, 1609, when Henry Hudson arrived.
• 🗺️ A British military map from the American Revolution was georeferenced to overlay on modern New York City, revealing lost natural features like ponds and streams.
• 🏞️ Manhattan was found to have had 55 different ecosystem types, a higher density of ecological communities per acre compared to national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone.
• 🏘️ The project digitally reconstructed the past landscapes to understand how native species like beavers and black bears interacted with the environment.
• 🌿 The 'Muir Web' is a term used to describe the intricate network of habitat relationships among plants, animals, and their environment on Manhattan.
• 🏙️ The presenter sees modern New York City and its past, Mannahatta, as reflections of each other, both showcasing diversity and resilience.
• 🎨 Hollywood visualization tools were used to create stunning images of what Manhattan might have looked like 400 years ago.
• 🌱 The project's findings are accessible online, allowing anyone to explore what Manhattan's landscape might have been like in the past.
• 🌟 The speaker emphasizes the importance of cities being habitats for people, needing to provide not only physical necessities but also a sense of meaning.
• 🏡 The epilogue envisions a future city that integrates nature, with elements like green roofs, streams, and windmills, providing a sustainable and meaningful habitat for its inhabitants.

Q & A

What is the Mannahatta Project?

The Mannahatta Project is an initiative aimed at rediscovering the natural landscape of Manhattan as it would have appeared to Henry Hudson in 1609, before significant human alterations.

What led the speaker to become interested in the ecology of New York City?

The speaker's interest in New York City's ecology was sparked by his background in landscape ecology and his experiences traveling the world with the Wildlife Conservation Society, which made him curious about the city's natural history and how it supports wildlife.

What is a key historical map mentioned in the script?

A key historical map mentioned is one created by British military cartographers during the American Revolution, which provides detailed information about the geography of New York City at that time.

How was the historical map from the American Revolution used in the Mannahatta Project?

The map was georeferenced and digitized to allow for a comparison of past and present landscapes, identifying the locations of historical features such as ponds, streams, and meadows within the modern city grid.

What is a 'Muir Web'?

A 'Muir Web' is a network diagram that illustrates the complex interrelationships between different species and their habitats on Manhattan, named after naturalist John Muir.

What does the term 'ecosystem types' refer to in the context of Manhattan?

In the context of Manhattan, 'ecosystem types' refers to the diverse range of natural communities such as forests, wetlands, marine areas, and beaches that once characterized the island.

How many different ecosystem types did Manhattan have according to the script?

Manhattan had 55 different ecosystem types, which is a higher number per acre compared to national parks like Yosemite and Yellowstone.

What role did the Lenape play in the Mannahatta Project's research?

The Lenape, the Native Americans who lived in the area, were considered in the project by creating a probability map of their settlements and understanding their agricultural practices, such as the 'Three Sisters' garden.

What technology was used to visualize the past landscape of Manhattan?

The technology used included geographic information systems (GIS) for mapping, digital elevation models for topography, and Hollywood-style visualization tools to create realistic landscapes of the past.

What is the significance of the number 400 mentioned in the script?

The number 400 refers to the project's goal of looking back in time to visualize and understand the landscape of Manhattan as it was 400 years ago, before significant European settlement.

What is the epilogue's vision for New York City 400 years in the future?

The epilogue envisions a future New York City that integrates nature into its urban fabric, with green roofs, streams, windmills, and a balance between dense urban living and sustainable agriculture and wetlands.