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The Pine Bush is a globally
rare ecosystem found right in the middle of the Capital District.
It was formed when a large glacier left the area over 20,000
years ago. The glacier
melted and a lake formed. Rivers
draining into the lake carried sand and clay.
The lake dried, leaving the soils behind.
Over time, the wind created dunes.
Plants grew on the dunes, stabilizing them.
The Pine Bush is located between Albany, Schenectady and Troy.
It also lies between the Catskill, Adirondack and Taconic
mountain ranges. The Pine
Bush is a segment of a dune field, which stretches from Delmar to South
Glens Falls.
Many abiotic factors affect the Pine Bush.
The most important of these is its soil. The soil of this area makes the Pine Bush unique.
The soil is sand and clay. There
is water amongst this dry sand. It
lies below the surface. Water
is a key element in the Pine Bush.
The Pine Bush lies within a tree-like branching system with
several drainage basins. Today,
3,000 acres of the Pine Bush are protected.
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