Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F093AY011MN
Dry Sandy Upland Forest
Last updated: 9/06/2024
Accessed: 11/21/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 093A–Superior and Rainy Stony and Rocky Till Plains and Moraines
The Superior Stony and Rocky Loamy Plains and Hills, Western Part is located and completely contained in northeastern Minnesota. This area has both the highest and lowest elevations in the state, as well as some of the state’s most rugged topography (Ojakangas and Matsch, 1982). The MLRA was glaciated by numerous advances of the Superior, Rainy, and Des Moines glacial lobes during the Wisconsin glaciation as well as pre-Wisconsin glacial periods. The geomorphic surfaces in this MLRA are geologically very young (i.e., 10,000 to 20,000 years) and dominated by drumlin fields, moraines, small lake plains, outwash plains, and bedrock-controlled uplands (USDA-NRCS, 2022).
There are thousands of lakes scattered throughout the region that were created by these glacial events. Most of these lakes are bedrock-controlled in comparison to adjacent glaciated regions where glacial drift deposits are much thicker and the lakes occur in depressions atop the glacial drift (Ojakangas and Matsch, 1982). In contrast to adjacent MLRAs, the depth to the predominantly crystalline or sandstone bedrock in MLRA 93A is relatively shallow because the most recent glacial events were more erosional than depositional (Ojakangas and Matsch, 1982).
Classification relationships
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Superior Stony and Rocky Loamy Plains and Hills, Western Part (93A)
USFS Subregions: Northern Superior Uplands Section (212L); North Shore Highlands Subsection (212Lb)
Relationship to Other Established Classifications:
FDn12-Northern Dry-Sand Pine Woodland, Fire-Dependent Forest/Woodland System, Northern Floristic Region, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Ecological site concept
This site is a dry jack pine-red pine woodland and located on outwash plains and moraines. Soils are course textured, well drained to excessively drained, and have a low available water capacity. Historically, fire was a common disturbance that influenced plant community composition. Jack pine, red pine, and balsam fir have frequent occurrence and moderately high cover on this site.
Associated sites
F093AY012MN |
Sandy Upland Forest The Sandy Upland Forest ecological site is located on uplands with soils that are course textured and moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained. Available water capacity ranges from 2-5 inches. |
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Similar sites
F093AY012MN |
Sandy Upland Forest The Sandy Upland Forest ecological site is located on uplands with soils that are course textured and moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained. Available water capacity ranges from 2-5 inches. |
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Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Pinus banksiana |
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Shrub |
(1) Vaccinium angustifolium |
Herbaceous |
(1) Maianthemum canadense |
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
Ecosystem states
T1A | - | Site is logged and disturbed |
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R2A | - | Restoration inputs; forest stand management |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A | - | Severe Disturbance |
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1.2A | - | Absence of disturbance (55-75 Years) |
1.3A | - | No severe disturbance > 75 Years |
1.3B | - | Severe site disturbance |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A | - | Invasive species established |
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2.2A | - | Eradication of invasive species |