Paleoecology of the Altona Flat Rock

Paleoecology allows researchers to determine the relative date of species arrival in an area, or the relative interval between disturbance events, that being fire at the Flat Rock.

The Altona Flat Rock is a fire dependant sandstone pine barren dominated by jack pine (Pinus banksiana), blueberry (Vaccinium spp.), and other understory plants, such as grasses, lichen, and moss.

Wetland at the Altona Flat Rock where core was harvested.

4.2 meters of sediment was harvested from the wetland at the Flat Rock.

Methods

250 um sieves were used to sieve 2 mm of material every 10 mm to obtain macrofossil samples from the core.

These samples were then looked at and identified under a microscope.

Results

According to a 1989 study by Stephan T. Jackson, white pine (Pinus strobus) arrived in the Adirondack region approximately 9,000 ybp, while jack pine (Pinus banksiana) arrived later at 8,500 ybp.

Relative age of macrofossils found at the Altona Flat Rock.

Each 2mm sample was found to be ~44 years old!

Carex oligosperma seed found at the base of the sediment core.

Created By

Tierney Mayette

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