Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F122XY017KY
Moist Alluvium
Accessed: 11/13/2024
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): 122X–Highland Rim and Pennyroyal
MLRA 122 is in Tennessee (47 percent), Kentucky (43 percent), Indiana (7 percent), and Alabama (3 percent). It makes up about 21,530 square miles (55,790 square kilometers).
SOILS:
Many of the soils in this MLRA are Udalfs. The moderately deep to very deep, well drained, clayey soils formed in limestone residuum. They are dominantly in rolling to steep areas of the “Outer Basin” (Mimosa, Braxton, Gladdice, and Hampshire series) and the undulating to hilly areas of the “Inner Basin” (Talbott and Bradyville series). The most agriculturally productive soils are the very deep, well drained, clayey or loamy soils that formed in alluvium and/or loess over alluvium or limestone residuum in nearly level to undulating areas (Armour, Cumberland, Harpeth, Lomond, and Maury series). The less extensive soils generally are moderately well drained to somewhat poorly drained and formed in loamy or clayey alluvium and/or residuum (Byler, Capshaw, Colbert, and Tupelo series). This MLRA has a significant acreage of Mollisols. Shallow or moderately deep, well drained, clayey Udolls (Ashwood and Barfield series) formed in limestone residuum dominantly in rolling to steep areas. Very shallow, well drained, clayey Rendolls (Gladeville series) formed in limestone residuum dominantly in undulating to rolling areas of the “Inner Basin.” Very deep, well drained or moderately well drained Udolls (Arrington, Egam, Lynnville, and Staser series) and somewhat poorly drained or poorly drained Aquolls (Agee, Godwin, and Lanton series) formed in loamy or clayey alluvium derived from limestone on flood plains. Most of the remaining soils on flood plains are moderately well drained or well drained Udepts (Lindell and Ocana series). Udults are of small extent in this area. Most are very deep, well drained, and loamy and formed in gravelly colluvium or colluvium and the underlying residuum on steep hillsides (Dellrose soils). Rock outcrops are common on uplands.
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES:
This area supports mixed oak forest vegetation. White oak, black oak, northern red oak, and some scarlet oak are the dominant tree species. Shagbark hickory, bitternut hickory, pignut hickory, and mockernut hickory also occur. Oak, blackgum, flowering dogwood, sassafras, Virginia pine, pitch pine, and shortleaf pine grow mostly on ridgetops.
(Excerpt from United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.)
Classification relationships
Scientific Name: South-Central Interior Large Floodplain
Unique Identifier: CES202.705
Scientific Name: South-Central Interior Small Stream and Riparian
Unique Identifier: CES202.706
Ecological site concept
The communities described in this provisional document reflect plant communities that are likely to be found on these soils. This PES describes hypotheses based on available data of many different scales and sources and has not been developed utilizing site-specific ecological field monitoring. This PES does not encompass the entire complexity or diversity possible on these sites. Field studies would be required for detailed conservation planning or to develop a comprehensive and science-based restoration plan for these sites.
Only two tree species can be selected for entry into the database as dominants; however, multiple tree species may be dominant on these sites and it will vary depending on available seed sources, management, and disturbance history (logging, grazing, etc.). Most of these sites within MLRA 122 are now being utilized for agricultural purposes.
State 1. (Reference): Provisional Ecological Site (PES)
State 1, Phase 1.1: Plant species dominants:
Oaks (Quercus spp.) – sweetgum (Liriodendron tulipifera) / American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) - paw paw (Asimina triloba) / small spike false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica) - giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea)
Oaks found on these sites as listed in NASIS included pin oak, cherrybark oak, willow oak, swamp white oak, overcup oak, and Shumard oak. Other canopy species recorded in NASIS on these mapunits include sweetgum, tuliptree, eastern cottonwood, and green ash.
State: 2, Phase 2.1: Managed Pasture. Plant species dominants: Schedonorus arundinaceus (tall fescue). Species depend on seeding, weed control, concurrent land uses, on-going levels of disturbance, and landowner goals.
State 3, Phase 3.1: Transitional (Abandoned) Field
Plant species dominants: maples (Acer spp.) – tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) / multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) - berries (Rubus spp.) / Schedonorus arundinaceus (tall fescue). Tree species regeneration on these sites will depend on the severity and duration of disturbance, seed sources, and presence or absence of continued site disturbances.
State 4, Phase 4.1: Abandoned cropland
Plant species dominants: 4.1 henbit deadnettle (Lamium amplexicaule) – mouse-eared chickweed (Cerastium L.).
State: 5, Phase 5.1: Cropland
Plants on these sites will be dependent upon seeding and management. Most common crops are corn and soybeans.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Carpinus caroliniana |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Boehmeria cylindrica |
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