Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F119XY024AR
Loamy Backslope
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.
Figure 1. Mapped extent
Areas shown in blue indicate the maximum mapped extent of this ecological site. Other ecological sites likely occur within the highlighted areas. It is also possible for this ecological site to occur outside of highlighted areas if detailed soil survey has not been completed or recently updated.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 119X–Ouachita Mountains
This ecological site is found in MLRA 119: Ouachita Mountains.
This area is in the Ouachita Mountains Section of the Ouachita Province of the Interior Highlands. The steep mountains are underlain by folded and faulted sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Most of the stream valleys are narrow and have steep gradients, but wide terraces and flood plains border the Ouachita River in western Arkansas. Elevation ranges from 330 feet (100 meters) on the lowest valley floors to 2,625 feet (800 meters) on the highest mountain peaks. Local relief is generally 100 to 200 feet (30 to 60 meters), but it can exceed 980 feet (300 meters).
Classification relationships
Ozark-Ouachita Dry-Mesic Oak Forest
Summary: This system is found throughout the Ozark and Ouachita Highlands ranging to the western edge of the Interior Low Plateau. It is the matrix system of this region and occurs on dry-mesic to mesic, gentle to moderately steep slopes. Soils are typically moderately to well-drained and more fertile than those associated with oak woodlands. A closed canopy of oak species (Quercus rubra and Quercus alba) often associated with hickory species (Carya spp.) typifies this system. Acer saccharum (or Acer barbatum to the south) may occur on more mesic examples of this system. Wind, drought, lightning, and occasional fires can influence this system.
Ecological site concept
This site is on greater than 15 percent backslopes with udic moisture and thermic temperature regimes. It has loamy soils with high available water.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
(1) Quercus alba |
---|---|
Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
(1) Desmodium |
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