Think Globally

Ecosystems Studies Field Laboratory
at Altona Flat Rock

Learn Locally

Wildlife Ecology

    The mosaic patterns of plant communities in the greater Flat Rock ecosystem, especially wetlands, hardwood forests and jack pine barrens, provide habitat requirements for a diversity of wildlife species.   Over 2,000 hectares of the pine barrens and surrounding forests are owned by the W.H. Miner Agricultural Institute and are available to Plattsburgh State University and students for teaching and research.  Students of wildlife ecology gain hands-on experience learning how to identify songbirds by sight and song and how to use radiotelemetry to monitor animal movements.

     The vertebrate species list for the greater Flat Rock ecosystem currently includes 120 species of birds, 30 mammals and 15 herptiles.  The most common bird species include the hermit thrush, white-throated sparrow, ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, and eastern wood pewee.  Important mammals include the secretive fisher, white-tailed deer as the largest herbivore and coyotes are the top carnivore.

< Acknowledgements >