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Vegetation of Black Rock Forest

Every kind of plant has different needs for nutrition, water, and sunlight and different tolerances for climate, disturbance, pests, and diseases. These determine where a plant can grow and flourish.

In similar habitats, plants with similar needs will grow together. This gives the habitat a distinctive look that is consistent no matter where the habitat occurs. We recognize these groups of plants growing in similar habitats as communities.

The communities in the following list are found in Black Rock Forest. The interpretation of communities can differ from person to person, so ours is based on C. Reschke's (1990) 'Ecological Communities of New York State.' The communities recognized by the United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) are discussed under the individual communities.

Fall trees

Fall trees

Streams (Riverine Associations)

Ponds (Lacustrine Associations)

Swamps and Marshes (Palustrine Associations)

Woodlands, Fields, and Barrens (Terrestrial Associations)

Photo: Kerry Barringer