111 - Spatial Analysis of Scattered Tree Loss in Livingston County, New York, 1938 to 2021

Scattered-tree agricultural landscapes possess ecological, cultural, and aesthetic value, yet they have seen 20th century decreases worldwide due to various land-use processes. This study analyzes the loss of scattered tree landscapes between 1938 and 2021 in Livingston County, New York State. Located in western New York, Livingston County encompasses the middle Genesee Valley, a noteworthy region since it contained extensive oak savannas purportedly once maintained by Native American (Onöndowa'ga:' [Seneca] people) fire use, and contains open-grown landscapes dominated by oaks today. Historical and contemporary aerial photographs and GIS are utilized to classify land use and quantify the change of scattered tree land units. Land use trajectories of scattered tree units are also examined in order to provide insight into the causes of tree loss, which were substantial over the time period. Preliminary results suggest a partial correspondence between historical oak savannas circa 1790 and scattered tree landscapes in 1938, suggesting that oak savannas were partially maintained through Euro-American land-use decisions (e.g. maintaining or modifying oak savannas as pastures).