CATASTROPHIC DISTURBANCES IN THE PRESETTLEMENT FORESTS OF WESTERN NEW-YORK

Catastrophic disturbances in the presettlement forests in western New York included 140 km2 of windthrow, 25 km2 of agricultural fields, 15 km2 described as dead trees, and 5 km2 of burn. Pitch pine and grassland communities represent ecosystems which could potentially have burned or otherwise been subjected to anthropogenic disturbance. Pitch pine communities occupied 150 km2 and grassland 52 km2. All forms of disturbance occupied only 1.4% of the area. Windthrow return times of 980 and 3190 years were determined for the Phelps and Gorham Purchase and the Holland Company lands, respectively.