Northeastern Highlands (ecoregion)

Their traditional territories, often denoted as Iroquoia, extend from the northern mouth of the St. Lawrence River to present-day North Carolina in the southern reaches.

Predominantly metamorphic bedrock gives rise to a varied landscape of steep and gentle slopes, narrow valleys, springs, and caves due to soluble limestone.

Oak-hickory forests with species like Quercus rubra (northern red oak) and Carya ovata (shagbark hickory) dominate lower, drier slopes.

the area is dominated by second-growth northern hardwood forests, including tree species like sugar maple, American beech, black cherry, and yellow birch.

The western foothills and northern outwash areas host substantial populations of eastern white pine, while aspen and birch prevail more in the north.

Notably, bogs are home to dominant black spruce and tamarack trees, accompanied by understory vegetation such as sheep laurel and labrador tea.

Particularly pronounced in the northern domain, the rain shadow effect induces lower precipitation levels than those typically encountered in the broader surroundings.

Spanning an irregular shape within the Adirondack region, this area has elevations of 442 to 1,024 meters (1,450 to 3,360 ft), with low-to-moderate relief mountains and hills.

It is central to the Adirondack Park, a vast state-protected area in Upstate New York, renowned for its diverse ecosystems, outdoor recreational opportunities, and extensive forested landscapes.

[12] The Tug Hill Plateau Eco-region, located in upstate New York, is a distinctive landscape shaped by its unique combination of geographical factors.

These meteorological phenomena bring substantial rainfall and snowfall to the region, creating belts of high precipitation downwind of the Great Lakes.

The core of the Tug Hill Plateau rises due to its underlying Oswego sandstone, which is less erodible compared to the surrounding shales and siltstones.

The region's history includes a period of widespread logging and farm abandonment, followed by reforestation efforts with successional hardwoods and large pine plantations.

These interconnected conservation areas contribute significantly to maintaining the ecological balance of the Tug Hill Plateau, showcasing the region's commitment to safeguarding its natural heritage.

The proximity to Lake Ontario and orographic lift contribute to the increased moisture content in the air, resulting in elevated precipitation levels.

The original forest cover, comprising northern hardwoods like sugar maple, American beech, yellow birch, and eastern hemlock, has been mostly cleared.

This small, roughly circular region is characterized by a geological composition centered on greywacke, a robust quartzite-dominated sandstone renowned for its erosion-resistant nature.

The presence of occasional shale and conglomerate deposits alongside a rocky glacial till further accentuate the region's geological makeup.

Amidst the distinct geological framework, the Rensselaer Plateau boasts an ecosystem characterized by attributes more commonly found in northern latitudes.

The forest canopy predominantly comprises a medley of northern hardwoods, accompanied by the likes of red spruce, balsam fir, and various wetland vegetation communities.

Despite being relatively modest in protected public lands, this region hosts remarkably intact forest cover, rendering it a sanctuary of significant wildlife value.

Its sparse population and limited agricultural activity mirror the challenge posed by its rocky, nutrient-poor soils and abbreviated growing season.

[16][17] The Green Mountains (Vermont)/Berkshire Highlands (Massachusetts) are part of the same level IV ecoregion, but are defined by different names per their political state boundaries.

Like most of the Northeastern Highlands ecoregion, the bedrock consists of metamorphic and glacial till and the soils are acidic, coarse, and low in nutrients.

Fort Dummer State Park, situated on a historical site, provides hiking trails and views of the Connecticut River Valley.

Agriculture abounds in the Northeast Kingdom and commonly includes production of hay, cattle corn, oats, vegetables, and grazing land.

Like the other Northeast Highland ecoregions, the Quebec/New England Boundary Mountains are cold, yet humid continental with an average of 85-125 frost-free days.

[citation needed] Mount Ascutney and its surrounding state park, offer opportunities for camping, hiking, mountain biking, and hang gliding.

The region also encompasses horseback riding experiences at Open Acre Ranch, where riders can traverse private trails which overlook the Vermont hills and New Hampshire's White Mountains.

[citation needed] The area's ecosystem is predominantly cold and humid continental, with an average of 85-125 frost-free days, similar to the adjacent New England Boundary Mountains.

Northeastern Highlands Level IV
Northeastern Highlands Level IV
Mount Frissell , the highest point in Connecticut and part of the Taconic Mountain Range (58a)
View northwest from about 3200 feet above sea level along Sky Line Drive on Equinox Mountain in Manchester, Bennington County, Vermont
Monastery Overlook from Mount Equinox, the highest point of the Taconic Mountains Eco-region
Upper Cascade Lake, Adirondack Mountains
Bald ( Rondaxe ) Mountain, Old Forge , NY --in the Acid Sensitive Adirondack Eco-region
View of the North Branch of the Salmon River, taken from bridge on Harvester Mill Road, north of Redfield, NY in the Tug Hill region, in January of 2009.
North Branch Salmon River, in Tug Hill Transition
Mount Mansfield State Forest, located in Green Mountain Highlands (58c) and Upper Montane/Alpine ecoregions (58j). Low scrub areas show contrasting montane vegetation on the right of image versus conifers (left).
Island Pond, Vermont and the adjacent lake of the same name, as seen from Brighton State Park's day-use beach in the Northern Piedmont ecoregion (58l).
Lake Willoughby in Quebec/New England Boundary Mountain ecoregion (58m), October 2021