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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): 140X–Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskill Mountains
This area is primarily in the Southern New York Section of the Appalachian Plateaus Province of the Appalachian Highlands. The top of the dissected plateau in this MLRA is broad and is nearly level to moderately sloping. The narrow valleys have steep walls and smooth floors. The Catskills in the east have steep slopes. Elevation is typically 650 to 1,000 feet on valley floors; 1,650 to 2,000 feet on the plateau surface; and 3,600 feet or more in parts of the Catskills.
The average annual precipitation in most of this area is 30 to 45 inches. Rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms during the summer, but most of the precipitation in this area occurs as snow. The average annual temperature is 40 to 50 degrees F.
The dominant soil order in this MLRA is Inceptisols. The soils in the area dominantly have a mesic soil temperature regime, an aquic or udic soil moisture regime, and mixed mineralogy. Frigid soils are found within the higher elevations.
This area supports forest vegetation, particularly hardwood species. Beech-birch-maple and elm-ash-red maple are the potential forest types. The extent of oak species increases from east to west, particularly in areas of shallow and dry soils. In some areas conifers, such as white pine, are important. Aspen, hemlock, northern white-cedar, and black ash grow on the wetter soils. In some parts of the area, sugar maple has potential economic significance. Some of the major wildlife species in this area are white-tailed deer, cottontail, turkey, pheasant, and grouse.Classification relationships
USDA NRCS:
LRR: R - Northeastern Forage and Forest Region
MLRA 140 - Glaciated Allegheny Plateau and Catskills Mountains
NY Natural Heritage Program Plant Community Classification:
PA Natural Heritage Program Plant Community Classification:
Red oak - mixed hardwood forest
International Vegetation Classification Associations:
NatureServe Ecological Systems:Ecological site concept
Landform/Landscape Position:
The site occurs on outwash plains, terraces, moraines, kames, and eskers. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
Soils:
The soils consists of very deep, somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained soils that formed in glacialfluvial material. Representative soils are Olean, Rexford, Castile, Red Hook, and Oramel.
Vegetation:
The reference community is considered to be an oak-hickory forest characterized by red oak, white oak, mockernut hickory, red maple, American beech, tuliptree, maple-leaved viburnum, shadbush, witch-hazel, spicebush false Solomon's-seal, and wood ferns.Associated sites
F140XY021NY Dry Outwash
Similar sites
F140XY020NY Dense Outwash
F140XY018NY Moist Lake Plain
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus rubra
(2) Carya tomentosaShrub (1) Viburnum acerifolium
(2) Lindera benzoinHerbaceous (1) Uvularia sessilifolia
Physiographic features
The site occurs on outwash plains, terraces, moraines, kames, and eskers. Slopes range from 0 to 15 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Outwash plain > Outwash plain
(2) Outwash terrace
(3) Kame
(4) Esker
(5) Alluvial fan
(6) Terrace
(7) Delta
(8) Lake plain
(9) Valley train
Runoff class Very low to very high Flooding frequency None to rare Ponding frequency None Elevation 164 – 1968 ft Slope 0 – 15 % Water table depth 7 – 23 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The Koppen-Geiger climate classification of the area in which this MLRA occurs is
Dfb, Warm-summer humid continental. Mean annual precipitation is 43 inches and evenly distributed throughout the year. Rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms in the summer. However, snow comprises most of the precipitation in this area. Average frost-free and freeze-free days are 122 and 153, respectively, with the coldest temperatures and the shortest frost-free periods occurring in the high-elevation areas in the eastern part of the MLRA.Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 110-130 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 140-170 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 40-50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 100-140 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 140-170 days Precipitation total (actual range) 40-50 in Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 150 days Precipitation total (average) 40 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) BINGHAMTON [USW00004725], Johnson City, NY
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(2) STROUDSBURG [USC00368596], East Stroudsburg, PA
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(3) TOWANDA 1 S [USC00368905], Towanda, PA
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(4) MONTROSE [USC00365915], Montrose, PA
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(5) CORNING [USC00301787], Corning, NY
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(6) ROCK HILL 3 SW [USC00307210], Rock Hill, NY
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(7) CANTON [USC00361212], Canton, PA
">Influencing water features
NONE
Wetland description
NONE
Soil features
The soils consists of very deep, somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained soils that formed in glacialfluvial material. Representative soils are Olean, Rexford, Castile, Fredon, Red Hook, Braceville, Homer, Pompton, and Oramel. Rexford soils have a densic or root restricting layer at approximately 18 inches in depth.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Glaciofluvial deposits – sandstone and shale
(2) Glaciofluvial deposits – siltstone
(3) Alluvium
(4) Eolian deposits
(5) Glaciolacustrine deposits
Surface texture (1) Gravelly loam
(2) Gravelly silt loam
(3) Gravelly fine sandy loam
(4) Channery silt loam
(5) Silt loam
(6) Sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Coarse-loamy
(2) Loamy-skeletal
(3) Fine-silty over sandy or sandy-skeletal
(4) Coarse-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal
(5) Fine-loamy over sandy or sandy-skeletal
(6) Loamy-skeletal over clayey
Drainage class Somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained Permeability class Slow to moderately slow Depth to restrictive layer 36 – 72 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)2 – 7 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)3.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)12 – 56 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)1 – 40 % Ecological dynamics
The reference community is considered to be an oak-hickory forest characterized by red oak, white oak, mockernut hickory, red maple, American beech, tuliptree, maple-leaved viburnum, shadbush, witch-hazel, spicebush false Solomon's-seal, and wood ferns.
Natural disturbances include wind/ice storms, tree fall, and insect damage. Threats to these forests include fragmentation, invasive species, over-browsing by deer, and air pollution.
The site is used for timber harvest and has been converted to pasture/hayland and/or cropland.State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference - Minimally ManagedReference is an oak-pine forest. Natural disturbances such and wind and ice storms, tree fall, insect damage will create openings for an early successional plant community or young forest.
This forest may have at one time been cleared or plowed during colonial times.
Characteristics and indicators. Soil may have evidence of an historic plow layer (Ap horizon).
Resilience management. Ensure that regenerating trees and shrubs are not heavily browsed by deer that they cannot replace overstory trees. Deer have been shown to have negative effects on forest understories (New York Natural Heritage Program, 2020). Avoid cutting old-growth forests.
Community 1.1
Oak-hickory forest.The reference community is considered to be an oak-hickory forest characterized by red oak, white oak, mockernut hickory, red maple, American beech, tuliptree, maple-leaved viburnum, shadbush, witch-hazel, spicebush false Solomon's-seal, and wood ferns.
Dominant plant species
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red maple (Acer rubrum), tree
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highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), shrub
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mapleleaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), shrub
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wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), other herbaceous
Community 1.2
Young forest (early successional)Dominant plant species
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black cherry (Prunus serotina), tree
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quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree
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highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), shrub
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western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum), other herbaceous
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Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), other herbaceous
Pathway P1.1
Community 1.1 to 1.2Natural disturbances - wind/ice storm, tree fall, and insect damage.
Conservation practices
Early Successional Habitat Development/Management Pathway P1.2
Community 1.2 to 1.1Time (succession).
State 2
Managed TimberThe state is characterized by active logging. Composition of forest stands will vary based on management objectives.
Community 2.1
Managed TimberState 3
Minimally Managed Forest with Invasive Species.Invasive species such as Japanese barberry, bush honeysuckle, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, and stiltgrass are common in the understory.
Community 3.1
Oak-pine forest with invasive speciesState 4
Pasture/GrasslandForest has been cleared and grasses and forbs have been introduced for livestock grazing, hay production, and/or wildlife.
Community 4.1
Introduced grasses and forbsCommunity 4.2
Woody plant encroachmentPathway P4.1
Community 4.1 to 4.2Abandonment (lack of mowing or fire suppression)
Pathway P4.2
Community 4.2 to 4.1Mowing, prescribed fire, and/or brush management.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Logging, timber harvest.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Introduction of invasive species, typically following a disturbance.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Land use conversion
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Stand improvement, time (succession).
Conservation practices
Forest Stand Improvement Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Abandonment, introduction of invasive species.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4Land use conversion.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Invasive species removal/control.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Invasive Plant Species Control Invasive Species Pest Management Biological suppression and other non-chemical techniques to manage brush, weeds and invasive species Transition T3A
State 3 to 2Timber management/harvest, logging.
Transition T3B
State 3 to 4Land use conversion.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1Time (succession). Forest restoration.
Conservation practices
Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Transition T4A
State 4 to 3Abandonment, time (succession).
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) Table 7. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.2 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) Table 10. Community 1.2 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Site Development and Testing Plan: Future work to validate the vegetation information in this provisional ecological site description is needed. This will include field activities to collect low and medium intensity sampling and analysis of that data. 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 approved level document. Reviews of the project plan are to be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team.
Other references
Edinger, G.J., Evans, D.J., Gebauer, S., Howard, T.G., Hunt, D.M., and A.M. Olivero, A.M. (eds.). 2014. Ecological Communities of New York State, Second Edition: A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.
Contributors
Joshua Hibit
Approval
Greg Schmidt, 10/01/2024
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 05/20/2020 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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