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Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F093BY009MI
Alfic Loamy Uplands
Last updated: 9/27/2023
Accessed: 08/17/2024
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): 093B–Superior Stony and Rocky Loamy Plains and Hills
The Wisconsin portion of this MLRA is a mixture of high-relief moraines and flat till plains with interspersed glacial meltwater deposits. It is bordered on the north by glaciolacustrine deposits of Glacial Lake Duluth and on the south by extensive pitted and unpitted outwash plains. The approximate land area is just under 600,000 acres (935 sq miles).
The Penokee-Gogebic Iron Range runs through the middle of the Wisconsin portion of this MLRA and into Michigian. The range is a hilly, bedrock-controlled moraine. The bedrock outcropping is composed of igneous and metamorphic materials and was created by inland folding and faulting of the ancient Superior continent when it collided with the Marshfield continent about 1.8 billion years ago (Dott & Attig, 2004). Volcanic and intrusive bedrock occurs in some places. This bedrock is overlain by a thin layer of glacial till deposited by the Chippewa Lobe.
To the north of the range is a former spillway for Glacial Lake Ontonagon. The flowing meltwater cut deep channels into the morainal systems. Glaciofluvial landforms here include old beaches and dunes. South of the range, along the southern edge of this MLRA, are rolling collapsed end moraines, pushed to their extent by the Chippewa and Ontonagon Lobes. The landscape is dotted with abundant kettle lakes and swamps, especially in the eastern portion. Ice-walled lake plains and eskers are also found along these collapsed moraines.
The climate is influenced by Lake Superior in areas near the lake, resulting in cooler summers, warmer winters, and greater precipitation – especially snowfall – compared to more inland locations. Historically, mixtures of eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and red pine (Pinus resinosa) covered the area. In wetter pockets (such as the swamps that dot the moraines to the south) white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), black spruce (Picea mariana), and tamarack (Larix laricina) were common (Finley, R., 1976).
Classification relationships
Relationship to Established Frameworks and Classification Systems:
Habitat Types of N. Wisconsin (Kotar, 2002): Two sites key out to Acer saccharum – Tsuga canadensis/ Maianthemum canadense (ATM), and one site keys to Acer saccharum / Vaccinium angustifolium – Viburnum acerifolium (AVVb).
Biophysical Setting (Landfire, 2014): This ES is mapped as Laurentian-Acadian Northern Pine(-Oak) Forest, Laurentian-Acadian Northern Hardwoods Forest – Hemlock, and Laurentian-Acadian Northern Hardwoods Forest; though, it is likely best represented by the latter.
WDNR Natural Communities (WDNR (2015): This ES is most similar to the Northern Mesic Forest.
Hierarchical Framework Relationships:
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): Superior Stoney and Rocky Loamy Plains and Hills, Eastern Part (93B)
USFS Subregions: Winegar Moraines (212Jc)
Small sections occur in the Gogebic-Penokee Iron Range (212Jb) subregion
Wisconsin DNR Ecological Landscapes: North Central Forest
Ecological site concept
Alfic Loamy Uplands is an uncommon site in MLRA 93B, located on moraines, outwash and lake plains, and stream and lake terraces. These sites are characterized by very deep, moderately well to well drained soils that formed in loamy glaciofluvial deposits. These sites have a significant layer of accumulated clay (an argillic horizon). Precipitation and runoff from adjacent uplands are the primary sources of water. Soils range from extremely acid to moderately acid.
The characteristic argillic horizon in Alfic Loamy Uplands perches water and increases the soil’s available water capacity, but does not restrict root growth. The lack of root restricting fragipan (a dense, reversibly-cemented layer) or fragic properties is what differs this ecological site from Fragic Loamy Uplands. The loamy texture differs Alfic Loamy Uplands from other upland sites. Loamy materials have a higher pH and available water capacity than sandy materials, which may promote more vegetative growth.
Associated sites
F093BY005MI |
Moist Lowlands Moist Lowlands occur on footslope positions across the landscape. They are not subject to flooding nor ponding. Soils form in till, lacustrine deposits, or outwash deposits and may be loamy to sandy. These sites are somewhat poorly drained and occur slightly lower on the drainage sequence than Alfic Loamy Uplands. |
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F093BY004MI |
Wet Lowlands Wet Lowlands occur on depressions and drainageways and form in loamy till or loamy alluvium underlain by dense sandy till or sandy and gravelly outwash. These sites are poorly drained and occur lower on the drainage sequence than Alfic Loamy Uplands. |
Similar sites
F093BY010MI |
Loamy Uplands Loamy Uplands occur on upland sites in loamy till, sometimes with a mantle of loess. Unlike Alfic Loamy Uplands, these soils lack significant clay accumulation. They are moderately well to well drained. |
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F093BY008MI |
Fragic Loamy Uplands Fragic Loamy Uplands occur on uplands sites in deep loamy till often overlain by loess. In these soils, a fragipan is either present or developing. The root restrictive Fragic layer is often impermeable and the water table is often perched above it (episaturation). Generally, Fragic Loamy Uplands support species with a slightly lower nutrient requirements than Loamy Uplands |
F093BY006MI |
Alfic Sandy Uplands Alfic Sandy Uplands occur on uplands sites in deep sandy drift deposits. Like Alfic Loamy Uplands, an argillic horizon is either present or forming, but the soil textures are much coarser. Alfic Loamy Uplands sometimes support species with slightly higher nutrient requirements than Alfic Sandy Uplands. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Acer saccharum |
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Shrub |
(1) Acer saccharum |
Herbaceous |
(1) Pteridium aquilinum |
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
T1A | - | Large scale disturbance |
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T1B | - | Clearing of site; agricultural production |
R2A | - | Abandon agricultural practices |
T2A | - | Clearing; agricultural production |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1.A | - | Natural mortality in the oldest age classes, sporadic small-scale blow-downs and ice storms, create openings for entry of mid-tolerant species, such as red oak and red maple. |
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1.2.A | - | Time and natural succession |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1.A | - | Red oak and red maple regenerate under aspen-paper birch canopy |
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2.2.A | - | Time and natural succession |