NYBG Scientists Discover 22 New Species in 2023

Articles/Websites

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, English Language Arts

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by New York Botanical Garden

Open Resource

What it is

This article describes the importance of tracking biodiversity to comprehend the extent of climate change impacts on ecosystems.
Students will learn that in 2023, curators described 22 new species and immediately concentrated on their conservation and survival.
Students will also learn about the scientific process for tracking and classifying biodiversity and naming species.

Teaching tips

Positives

The article is brief, with visual representations so students can read and analyze it in one class period.
Essential vocabulary words are bolded for ease of use.

Additional Prerequisites

Vocabulary is rigorous, so a definition list or graphic organizer will be helpful.
Students and teachers can share this article via social media.
Students may benefit from understanding taxonomy and biodiversity before reading the article.

Differentiation

The article includes links to related content, archived blogs, and categories of other articles in the resource blog.
Science teachers can utilize the article to review taxonomy since the hierarchy of classification ranks is listed.
English teachers can have students read the article and research new and soon-to-be-extinct species.
Students will benefit from examples of species' taxonomic position and examples of phylogenic trees.

From the scientist review

This resource from the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) details how scientists at NYBG described 22 new species and five new genera in 2023 and explains the importance of systematics to conservation. The resource features clear text with all content-specific terms in boldface with definitions of each. Several excellent sources are linked, including one peer-reviewed letter and a blog that features photos and descriptions of all of the new species described by NYBG scientists in 2023. This resource is recommended for teaching.

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At a glance

Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Subjects: Biology, English Language Arts
Language: English
Location: Earth, North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > New York, North America > United States > New York > New York
Provider: New York Botanical Garden
Authors: Cosette Patternson
Published: February 14, 2024
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.2 + 9 more

Core

Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.2Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.8.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.8.2Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.2Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).

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English Language Arts

RI.CI.6.2Determine the central idea of an informational text and explain how it is supported by key details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

Science

MS-LS2-1.Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence for the effects of resource availability on organisms and populations of organisms in an ecosystem.
HS-LS2-2.Use mathematical representations to support and revise explanations based on evidence about factors affecting biodiversity and populations in ecosystems of different scales.
HS-LS4-5.Evaluate the evidence supporting claims that changes in environmental conditions may result in (1) increases in the number of individuals of some species, (2) the emergence of new species over time, and (3) the extinction of other species.

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