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 157 RESULTS

RESEARCH Dunlop Meadow

Designing farms that support wild bees Melanie Kammerer Allen Ecology and USDA-NIFA Fellow at Penn State University

RESEARCH Purvis Road Wetlands Natural Area, McClean Bog

Surveying the Tipulidae and Drosophilidae Patrick O'Grady Entomology, Cornell University

RESEARCH Mundy Wildflower Garden, Fischer Old-growth Forest, Bald Hill and Caroline Pinnacles

Geographic variation of the internal microbial communities of the blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis). Examine the geographic variation of blacklegged tick microbiome Christine Zolnik Long Island University – Brooklyn

RESEARCH

Genetic diversity of native silver flies in the genus Leucopis Tonya D. Bittner Natural Resources, Cornell University

RESEARCH Cascadilla Gorge

The role of floral volatiles in the interactions between bumble bees and Impatiens flowers Kim Christin Heuel Nerobiology & Behavior, Cornell University

RESEARCH

Collections of various bryophytes and lycophyte Jessica Nelson Boyce Thompson Institute

RESEARCH Fall Creek Valley

Landscape assessment Martin Hogue Landscape Architecture, Cornell University

RESEARCH Fischer Old-growth Forest

Mycology Research for NTRES 2100 Hannah Soros Field Biology Course, Cornell University

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. 

Learn More

Garden and Plant research opportunities

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

Learn More

Education research opportunties

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

Learn More

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