New york state
New York State exists as a paragon of ecological diversity, where the rugged, granite of the Adirondacks meets the lush gorges of the Finger Lakes. This vast wilderness serves as a vital sanctuary for iconic wildlife, from the moose and black bears roaming the boreal forests to the bald eagles and peregrine Falcons patrolling the rivers and streams. Whether it’s the quiet laboring of a beaver in a Catskill wetland or the breathtaking sight of a humpback whale breaching off the coast of Long Island, New York’s natural landscapes offer a profound beauty that rivals its most famous urban landmarks.
Wildlife Diversity
- ~4100 species of plants
- ~1300 species of insects
- ~510 species of birds (over half are migratory)
- 93 species of mammals
- 39 species of reptiles
- 39 species of amphibians
- 165 species of freshwater fish (200 migratory species)
- Total native species in New York exceeds 6400 individual species (potentially by a large number)
Geographical and Ecological Diversity
Forests
- Hardwood forests in the Catskills and Hudson Valley
- Boreal forests in the Adirondacks
Mountains
- Catskills
- Adirondacks (high peaks with cold adapted alpine habitats)
- Taconic Mountains
- The northern tip of the Appalachian Mountains
Grasslands
- Hempstead Plains
Wetlands
- Tidal wetlands and bogs
- Great Lake wetlands and the St Lawrence Valley
Aquatic Ecosystems
Freshwater Systems
- Finger Lakes, Lake George, Lake Ontario, Lake Erie
- St Lawrence River, Hudson River, Mohawk River
- Countless small creeks (there are over 70,000 miles of streams and rivers in New York, according to the DEC there are ~59,300 rivers and streams
Coastal and Marine
- Atlantic Shoreline
- Salt Marshes
- Hudson River Estuary