Physiographic features

Site is located on floodplains eroded through glacial till or outwash.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Climatic features

Mean annual temperatures are 6.0 to 7.1 °C (43 to 45 °F). The warmest six months average 14.6 to 15.4 °C (58 to 60 °F). Mean July temperatures range from 19.1 to 20.2 °C (66 to 68 °F). Mean January temperatures range from -7.9 to -5.9 °C (18 to 21 °F). The maximum monthly average daily highs are 24.1 to 27.3 °C (75 to 81 °F). The minimum monthly average daily lows are -13.3 to -9.4 °C (8 to 15 °F). Mean annual precipitation ranges from 720 to 810 mm (28 to 32 in). The western one-third of the area is wetter than the eastern two-thirds. The precipitation occurs as both rain during the growing season and snow in winter. Average 0 °C (32 °F) frost-free season ranges from 100 to 161 days. Average -2 °C (28 °F) freeze-free season is 137 to 188 days. Mean annual snowfall ranges from 1.6 to 2.9 m (60 to 110 in). Mean annual extreme minimum temperatures range from -31.6 to -23 °C (-25 to -9 °F), or hardiness zones 4b to 6a.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Climate stations used

• (1) CHEBOYGAN [USC00201492], Cheboygan, MI

• (2) ONAWAY 4N [USC00206184], Onaway, MI

• (3) ROGERS CITY [USC00207094], Rogers City, MI

• (4) PELLSTON RGNL AP [USW00014841], Pellston, MI

• (5) CROSS VILLAGE 1E [USC00201896], Harbor Springs, MI

• (6) ALPENA WWTP [USW00014814], Alpena, MI

• (7) ALPENA CO RGNL AP [USW00094849], Alpena, MI

Influencing water features

Site subject to temporary flooding during the growing season, at short enough duration so as not to exclude flood sensitive species. Seasonal high water table generally below the depth of a majority of roots, more that 25 cm.

Soil features

Soils are moderately well drained to well drained variable textures that are temporarily flooded. They are commonly classified Aquic Udipsamments, Fluvaquentic Endoaquolls, and Aeric Endoaquepts, and commonly mapped as Winterfield and Colonville series or components. The top 50 cm has a typical pH of 7.1 and is 80% sand and 0.9% organic matter. At depth, pH ranges up to 7.5, and texture averages 75% sand and 10% clay. Depth to impeded hydraulic conductivity or root restrictive layers averages >200 cm. Depth to carbonates averages 165 cm.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Other references

A PROVISIONAL ECOLOGICAL SITE is a conceptual grouping of soil map unit components within a major land resource area (MLRA) based on the similarities in response to management. A provisional ecological site is a first approximation based on a cursory literature review, personal experience, and limited field reconnaissance. As more adequate literature review, expert opinion, and intensive plot data are collected, the site concept is subject to shifting, broadening, narrowing, subdivision, or re-aggregation in definition. Likewise, the community dynamics will be more elaborate in content, and may also change in structure, upon reaching approved status.

Future work, as described in a project plan, to validate the information in this provisional ecological site description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low and medium intensity sampling, soil correlations, and analysis of that data. Annual field reviews should be done by soil scientists and vegetation specialists. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD will be needed to produce the final document. Annual reviews of the project plan are to be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team.

Albert, D. A. et al., 1995. Vegetation circa 1800 of Michigan. Michigan's native landscape as interpreted from the General Land Office Surveys 1816-1856 (digital map), Lansing: Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

Baker, M.E. and Barnes, B.V., 1998. Landscape ecosystem diversity of river floodplains in northwestern Lower Michigan, USA. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 28(9), pp.1405-1418.

Barnes, B. V. and Wagner, W. H., 2004. Michigan trees: a guide to the trees of the Great Lakes region. Ann Arbor (Michigan): University of Michigan Press.

Burger, T. L. and Kotar, J., 2003. A Guide to Forest Communities and Habitat Types of Michigan. Madison, Wisconsin: Department of Forest Ecology and Management, University of Wisconsin.

Cleland, D. T. et al., 1994. Field guide: Ecological classification and inventory system of the Huron-Manistee National Forests, s.l.: USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station.

Eichenlaub, V.L., 1979. Weather and climate of the Great Lakes region. University of Notre Dame Press, Indiana. 335 pages.

GHCN, 2016. Global Historical Climatology Network Monthly Versions 2 and 3 (temperature and precipitation data). NOAA. https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ghcnm/

Kost, M. A. et al., 2010. Natural Communities of Michigan: Classification and Description, Lansing, MI: Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

Landfire, 2017. Landfire Biophysical Settings Review Site. Accessed May, 2017 http://www.landfirereview.org/descriptions.html.

National Ocean Service, 2017. Tides and Currents (historic water level data for US coastal waters). https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/stations.html?type=Water+Levels

NDBC, 2017. National Data Buoy Center (wave height and period data for US coastal waters). NOAA. http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/

PRISM Climate Group. 2013. Gridded 30 Year Normals, 1981-2010. Oregon State University, http://prism.oregonstate.edu

U.S. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, 2011. LANDFIRE: LANDFIRE 1.1.0 Existing Vegetation Type layer. http://landfire.cr.usgs.gov/viewer/

USFS, Witness Tree data for northern Lower Michigan.

Contributors

Gregory J. Schmidt

Approval

Greg Schmidt, 9/11/2024

Acknowledgments

The following individuals made substantive comments regarding the development of the Provisional Ecological Sites: Randy Swaty, The Nature Conservancy; Trevor Hobbs, USFS; Richard A. Corner, USFS; Andy Henriksen, NRCS; Dan Zay, NRCS.