Human activities, both direct and indirect, are responsible most often for upsetting the balance between production and consumption resulting in major perturbations to these ecosystems. Research at the Center will work to determine if disturbances caused by exotic organisms have greater biological effect and potential socio-economic impact than disturbances caused by native organisms. Groves of tall, old hemlock trees are an outstanding feature of eastern forests analogous to redwoods in the West. Although no longer highly prized by industry, hemlock ranks among the top four species in New England and New York in volume of saw timber harvested. Eastern hemlock occurs throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and the Appalachian Mountains.
Outlying populations extend from southern Quebec southward to Georgia and westward to Minnesota.
Hemlock is a critical component of the forest ecosystem. It provides floristic and structural diversity to forests as well as environmental stability and protection for watersheds. The dense canopy of hemlock produces distinct microclimate and soil conditions and several threatened and endangered species are associated with this unique niche. Almost half of growing oaks are in the more commercially valuable species group of select white oaks and select red oaks, which are prized as sources of wood for flooring and furniture. Thus a wide range of shrubs and herbaceous flora and fauna are associated with these various oak forest types.