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St. Lawrence Lowlands

Ecoregion in NY

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The St. Lawrence Lowlands ecoregion covers the lowest portions of the St. Lawrence Valley, including level glacial lake and marine plains and scattered low ridges. The climate of the St. Lawrence Lowlands is temperate with moderately warm summers and cold winters. The St. Lawrence River has a moderating effect on temperatures, although it is not as strong as the lake effect from Lake Ontario on the Erie/Ontario Lake Plain (83a) and Ontario Lowlands (83c). Precipitation amounts are generally lower than in other areas of the state, except the Champlain Lowlands (83b). A belt of limestone and another of sandstone form the parent material for St. Lawrence soils. Most soils are frigid in temperature regime, differing from lowland soils elsewhere in the state that are typically mesic. Although there is little forest land left in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, remnant forest vegetation varies according to soil conditions. Forests on clay soils include sugar maple, beech, and hemlock; sandy soils support black and red oak, white pine, pitch pine, and red maple. Red maple, swamp white oak, white ash, and elm grow in wetland soils. Sand and clay soils found in the glacial lake and marine plains have been cleared for agriculture since the late 18th century. Farms produce hay, grain, potatoes, and dairy products.

— EPA

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