Shingle Shanty Preserve and Research Station

In 2020 the organization accomplished:1) A collaborative paper with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry documenting tree encroachment patterns in the varying ecological communities that make up the large peatland complex at Shingle Shanty Preserve.2) Research into how tree growth is or isn't affected by climate variables (temperature and precipitation) and atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and other important nutrients that affect tree growth. This research helps us to understand how our human actions are impacting the ecology of peatlands across the Northern Forest Region. Boreal peatlands like those at Shingle Shanty are among the most pristine and best protected examples of this ecosystem at this latitude around the globe, yet they are still showing signs of forest structure change driven by climate change and nitrogen deposition. This research provides a strategy for monitoring early warning signs of change and the impetus for development of management and mitigation strategies to enable biodiversity conservation efforts.