ALBANY, NY.- A historically significant collection of lichen specimens believed to have been lost to an 1866 fire was recently rediscovered by Dr. James Lendemer, curator of botany at the New York State Museum. The serendipitous find will allow scientists to reliably reconstruct pre-industrial lichen communities from New York City, a task that up until now was not thought to be possible.


Uncover the fascinating world of lichens, those unique symbiotic organisms that thrive in diverse environments.


The specimens, collected in Manhattan more than 200 years ago by naturalist Abraham Halsey, provide a rare glimpse into the city's 19th-century environment and its dramatic transformation. The discovery, which took place at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden herbarium, is detailed in full by Dr. Lendemer in the December issue of the Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society.

“This discovery not only brings a pioneering naturalist's work back into the light but also provides critical insights into how human activities have reshaped New York's urban ecosystems,” said Dr. Lendemer. “This research serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible impact of museum collections. They are more than relics—they are a bridge that connects us to the past and helps us understand the pressing challenges of the present. It’s a call to action for preserving, digitizing, and restudying these irreplaceable scientific resources.”

Abraham Halsey published the first checklist of New York City lichens in 1823. It was the first work focused on lichens in North America and one of the earliest botanical works published in America. Halsey’s original collection, paired with Dr. Lendemer’s meticulous research, demonstrates significant ecological change.

In 1823, New York City’s lichen community thrived with 129 documented species, while just 18 of those species remain today. The findings highlight how human development has led to declines in many native species and ecosystems, transforming the natural landscape into a human one where biodiversity must rapidly adapt and evolve to persist.

“This study on Halsey's historic lichen collection represents an invaluable contribution to our understanding of New York's ecological history,” said Dr. Robert Feranec, Director of Research and Collections at the New York State Museum. “It not only updates Halsey's original checklist but also underscores the importance of preserving and studying our natural history collections, which hold the power to reveal just how much we've lost.”

The research also illuminates Halsey's remarkable personal journey—a naturalist who faced significant financial hardship yet remained committed to his botanical work. Against all odds, he documented a world that was already beginning to disappear, leaving behind a critical baseline for future scientists like Dr. Lendemer.


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