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Eastern Great Lakes lowland forests (WWF ecoregion NA0407)


Orwell, Vermont looking towards Adirondack Mountains (c) 2008  Daniel C. Redondo

Source of bioregions data: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89:125-126.

Distinctiveness (1=highest,4=lowest): 4 (nationally important)
This ecoregion contains some unique habitat types, including alvar barrens and ancient cliff white cedars.  There are important wetland habitats and the area is particularly rich in bird species.*

Conservation Status (1=most endangered, 5=most intact): 1 (critical)
Pollution and suburban development have degraded this ecoregion severely and less than 5% of the habitat remains intact.  Intact habitat is highly fragmented and protected areas are very small.*

Characteristic species*
Tsuga canadensis (eastern hemlock)

Betula alleghaniensis (yellow birch)

Acer saccharum  (sugar maple)

Acer rubrum (red maple)

Quercus rubra (northern red oak)

Fagus grandifolia (American beech)

Pinus resinosa (red pine)

Pinus strobus (white pine)

Thuja occidentalis (eastern white cedar)

Populus deltoides (cottonwood)

Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen)

Betula papyrifera (paper birch)

 

Some views from the ecoregion

Sugar shack below a maple sugar (Acer saccharum) knoll, Orwell, VT

Green mountains visible at far right.
(c) 2008  Daniel C. Redondo   hires