Doodletown Brook, Rockland County, NY, United States

Environment

Environment

Affected by human activity

Affected by human activity

Agriculture

Agriculture

Little

Surrounding area

Bear Mountain State Park is a 21,063888km² state park located on the west bank of the Hudson River, stretching across the Rockland and Orange counties. It has served as an important place of nature preservation since 1908, being born out of conservation efforts by the Harriman family. Its woodlands are a home to a great diversity of native fish, amphibians, fish, and reptiles. As such, there are many measures taken to ensure the protection of said animals.

The biggest and most ecologically significant waterbody system are the interconnected Doodletown and Timp Brooks. Generally, these streams have high water flow, allowing temperature to remain below 23,8°C year-round. The water level tends not to fluctuate much, as annual rainfall is less than 76,2cm. The summer months are characterized by high air temperatures, ranging from 29-35°C generally, while the winter months are quite cold, ranging from -6-7°C.

Vegetation:

• Quercus rubra (Fagaceae)
• Acer saccharum (Sapindaceae)

Underwater landscape

It is a deciduous forest, with sparse vegetation, both in and outside water. Logs and tree roots are not common in the water. Little algae is to be found.

Water is fairly shallow, with depths not ranging anymore than 2m, with much of the brook being less than 0.5m. A rocky aquascape dominates much of the brook. Water has high visibility; little sediment in the water column. As mentioned before, this brook joins the freshwaters of the mountain with the oligohaline waters of the Hudson.

As a result, many fish from either habitats will dwell, such as the following: Anguilla rostrata, Catostomus commersonii, Etheostoma olmstedi, Hudsonius hudsonius, Lepomis cyanellus (Invasive), Lepomis macrochirus, Rhinichthys atratulus, and Semotilus atromaculatus.

Fishlist:

• Etheostoma olmstedi (Etheostomatidae)
• Rhinichthys atratulus (Cyprinidae)
• Catostomus commersonii (Cyprinidae)
• Salvelinus fontinalis (Salmonidae)
• Lepomis macrochirus (Lepomidae)
• Lepomis cyanellus (Lepomidae)
• Hudsonius hudsonius (Cyprinidae)

Amphibian:

• Eurycea bislineata (Plethodontidae)

Threats to ecology

With Bear Mountain being a state park, it is protected by the state. However, being that it is open to hikers and tourists, it is possible that some of its animal inhabitants can fall victim to pollution, littering, and poaching. Some animals, like salamanders, are indicator species, and cannot tolerate much disturbance, lest their population will drastically decrease.

I have also noticed that with the making of trails and subsequent deforestation, some erosion has taken place, destroying significant portion of habitat. That is what inspired me to create this biotope.

Riparian zone

Trees near the aquatic habitat

Few -

Bibliography

• → Chellby R. Kilheffer, H. Brian Underwood, Donald J. Leopold, and Rachel Guerrieri - Evaluating Legacy Effects of Hyperabundant White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Forested Stands of Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks, New York by New York State Parks and Recreation
  ISBN ISSN 2331-1258
  

Comment by the expert