Research at Cornell Botanic Gardens

We are engaged in numerous research efforts to conserve plants and the cultures that sustain them. Our staff work with Cornell faculty, graduate & undergraduate students, and botanic gardens around the world to facilitate research on plants and the natural world.

FEATURED RESEARCH

Learn more about these featured research projects or search for research by specific location or key word.

Beebe Lake and Woods

Researchers have used our Beebe Lake natural area to study a variety of topics from invasive species to American crows to aquatic habitats.

Mundy Wildflower Garden

This natural area and naturalistic garden is an active research site for native plant conservation, invasive plant management, and herbivore effects on plant communities.

Robison Herb Garden

With over 500 varieties of herbs, this garden is used by faculty from many disciplines to enhance their teaching and research.

Urban Trees

Our urban tree collection showcases trees that flourish in urban environments. Research efforts have examined soil health, environmental conditions and tree health.

Climate Change Garden

This garden educates visitors about climate change and demonstrates how higher temperatures may affect plants grown in the upstate New York area.

Sustainability

Our gardens, natural areas, and our LEED gold certified Nevin Welcome Center provide ample opportunities for sustainability research.

DISPLAYING 9 OF 153 RESULTS

RESEARCH Monkey Run, Ringwood Ponds

Collection of fungi and fungal diseases for use in SIPS teaching Chase Mayers School of Integrative Plant Science

RESEARCH Mundy Wildflower Garden

Historical land-use impact of ant-mediated seed dispersal in northeastern deciduous forests Carmela M. Buono Department of Biological Sciences, Binghamton University

RESEARCH Turkey Hill Road Meadow

Assessing the fitness consequences of intra-population variation in movement patterns in breeding Tree Swallows Jennifer Uehling Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

RESEARCH Cascadilla Gorge

Engineers for a Sustainable World Hydroturbine Project Vernon Rippeon Engineering, Dr. Francis Vanek

RESEARCH Mundy Wildflower Garden

Indigenous seed planting Steve Henhawk, Jolene Rickard American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program

RESEARCH Dunlop Meadow

Cold-climate/warm-climate queens comparison Tom Seeley Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

RESEARCH Fischer Old-growth Forest

Evolution of coat color in eastern gray squrrels Bradley J. Cosentino Hobart and William Smith Colleges

RESEARCH Lick Brook

Hemlock woolly adelgid biological control agent release and evaluation of establishment: Leucopis spp. Mark Whitmore Natural Resources

RESEARCH Eames Bog, Etna Preserve, Ellis Hollow Wetlands, Monkey Run

Disruption of Health and Performance by Artificial Light at Night Colleen Miller Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Natural Areas Research opportunities

Our natural areas provide opportunities for research across a diverse set of high-quality natural communities and rare species habitats. These sites are managed to provide research opportunities for faculty and students. 

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Garden and Plant research opportunities

Our cultivated gardens, arboretum and plant collections provide opportunities for research by faculty and students. 

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Education research opportunties

We offer a wide range of educational programs which provide opportunities for research and evaluation. 

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Natural Areas Research Application

Let us know about your proposed project in our natural areas and how we can work with you.  Researchers are required to submit a research application.

Research Application