Imagining Mountain Laurel: Meadow Ecology

Red Fox, Canadian Goose, New England Cottontail Rabbit, Mountain Laurel, Viburnum

The characteristic rolling hills of Upstate New York are not only aesthetically pleasing to look at when driving up to Colgate, but are also a habitat to many native animals and plants. In these open meadows, tree saplings and flowering shrubs flourish and provide cover for the animals that live in these areas. Laurels, specifically Mountain Laurel, and Viburnum are shrubs that are revered for their beautiful flowers. These plants are often home for many native bird species that prefer to nest in low-lying areas. Mountain Laurel and three species of Viburnum are considered protected native plants in New York state.

Within these open meadows and along forest edges, the New England Cottontail Rabbit makes its burrows. The New England Cottontail has become threatened by the invasion of the Eastern Cottontail. Following a disturbance, like a clear-cutting of a forest, the Eastern Cottontail is able to adapt much more quickly than the NE Cottontail, and thus has been driving it out from its original habitats. Also in these open fields, lakes and ponds will attract the Canadian Goose. These birds nest in the tall grasses surrounding marshy areas. They are present throughout New York in the summer months but migrate down South once the winter comes. Because of the importance of migration to these birds, they are protected in the US and Canada by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. During migration, the Canadian goose will make stops along the way. Therefore, maintenance of their habitat is an important priority to ensure the longevity of this species.

Within these ecosystems, the red fox often fills in the role of an apex predator. By preying on goslings and rabbits, they keep the populations from overwhelming the resources of their environment. Due to recent development and expansion of suburban housing, these animals have been increasingly coming into contact with humans. Recognize the importance of foxes and other animals to this ecosystem by limiting conflicts and maintaining their habitat will lead to ensuring their presence in the future.

Composition installed and designed by: Ross Craig, Amarachi Iheanyichukwu, Natalie Rozman

My name is Claudia Buszta, and I am an Environmental Geography major. I am working this year with Professor Haughwout on the 6th E Street project to illustrate how different organisms relate to each other within their ecological communities. Our focus is on regional ecosystems in New York State, identifying how native species interact with human activity. These summaries are meant to accompany the visualizations of the ecologies within the tunnels.