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Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F124XY003OH
Mixed Limestone Rich Upland
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): 124X–Western Allegheny Plateau
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 124—Western Allegheny Plateau (USDA-NRCS, 2006)
MLRA 124, Western Allegheny Plateau extends from and includes western PA just north of Pittsburgh through southeastern OH to and includes northeastern KY. This area is primarily in the Kanawha Section of the Appalachian Province of the Appalachian Highlands. This MLRA is on an unglaciated dissected plateau with narrow level valley floors, rolling ridgetops, and hilly to steep slopes with dendritic stream drainages. A notable exception is the broad, Teays Valley, and other glacio-fluvial and glacio-lacustrine features attributed to nearby Pleistocene glaciation. Elevation ranges from 660 to 1310 feet (200 to 400 meters). The geology is predominantly cyclic beds of sandstone, siltstone, clay, shale and coal of Pennsylvanian age. Soils are dominated by Udalfs, Udults, and Ochcrepts with a mesic temperature regime in combination with five parent materials, residuum, colluvium, alluvium, eolian, and extra-glacial material of glacio-fluvial and glaciolacustrine mesic materials. The climate is predominately a humid continental to temperate, with 37 to 45 inches (940-1145 mm). Average annual temperature is 46 to 56 degrees F (8 to 13 degree C) with a freeze-free period averaging 185 days. Much of the areas is either forest or in farms, principally for hay and pasture, with fruits and vegetables grown locally. Coal and gas extraction are important industries in the northern part of the MLRA.
Classification relationships
USDA-NRCS (USDA 2006):
Land Resource Region (LRR): N—East and Central Farming and Forest Region
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 124—Western Allegheny Plateau
USDA-FS:
Province: Humid Temperate
Section: Southern Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau
Subsection: Pittsburgh Low Plateau
Unglaciated Muskingam Plains
Western Hocking Plateau
Lower Scotio River Plateau
Teays Plateau
Kinniconick and Licking Knobs
Section: North Cumberland Plateau (in Part)
Subsection: Kinniconick and Licking Knobs
Miami-Scioto Plain – Tipton Till Plain
Ecological site concept
Within the dissected plateau of the unglaciated Western Allegheny Plateau, the Mixed Limestone Rich Upland ecological site is set in upland landscapes derived from limestone occupying summits, hillslopes and cliffs. Most sites are moderately well-drained to well-drained. Representative soils include: Brooke, Caneyville, Elba, Hagerstown, Vandergrift. Reference plant communities may include: Chinquapin Oak Limestone Woodland, and Appalachian Sugar Maple - Chinquapin Oak Limestone Forest.
Associated sites
F124XY005OH |
Mixed Limestone Rich Sideslope Mixed Limestone Rich Sideslope ecological site is often adjacent to and downslope of Mixed Limestone Rich Upland. |
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Figure 1.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
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Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
Not specified |
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