Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F140XY023NY
Shallow Till Uplands
Last updated: 10/01/2024
Accessed: 09/22/2026
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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 MountainsEcological site concept
Landform/Landscape Position:
The site occurs on hills, ridges, benches, and ground moraines. Slopes range from 0 to 80 percent.
Soils:
The site consists of shallow, well drained to somewhat excessively drained, gravelly, loamy soils that formed in glacial till derived mostly from acid sandstone, siltstone, shale, and conglomerates. Representative soil is Arnot.
Vegetation:
The reference plant community is an oak dominated forest. In some places the canopy may be more open forming a woodland. Black oak and chestnut are common trees in association with scarlet oak, red oak, pignut hickory, white ash, eastern white pine, and eastern hemlock. Common shrubs include black huckleberry and lowbush blueberry.Associated sites
F140XY027NY Well Drained Till Uplands
Similar sites
F140XY030NY Well Drained Dense Till
F140XY026PA Dry Till Uplands
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus velutina
(2) Quercus montanaShrub (1) Vaccinium angustifolium
(2) Gaylussacia baccataHerbaceous (1) Carex pensylvanica
Physiographic features
The site occurs on hills, ridges, benches, and ground moraines. Slopes range from 0 to 80 percent.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Mountains > Hill
(2) Upland > Bench
(3) Ridge
(4) Ground moraine
Runoff class Medium to very high Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 328 – 2460 ft Slope 0 – 80 % Water table depth 72 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 site consists of shallow, well drained to somewhat excessively drained, gravelly, loamy soils that formed in glacial till derived mostly from acid sandstone, siltstone, shale, and conglomerates. Representative soil is Arnot.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Till – sandstone
(2) Till – siltstone
(3) Till – shale
(4) Till – conglomerate
(5) Sedimentary rock
Surface texture (1) Channery loam
(2) Channery silt loam
(3) Very channery loam
(4) Flaggy silt loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy-skeletal
Drainage class Well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Very slow to moderately slow Depth to restrictive layer 12 – 60 in Soil depth 12 – 19 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 25 % Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)1 – 4 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)3.5 – 6.6 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)23 – 40 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)3 – 45 % Table 5. Representative soil features (actual values)
Drainage class Not specified Permeability class Not specified Depth to restrictive layer 0 in Soil depth 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 40 % Available water capacity
(Depth not specified)0 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)0 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 % Ecological dynamics
The reference plant community is an oak dominated forest. In some places the canopy may be more open forming a woodland. Black oak and chestnut are common trees in association with scarlet oak, red oak, pignut hickory, white ash, eastern white pine, and eastern hemlock. Trees are generally lower is stature and productivity relative to forests in deeper soils. Lowbush blueberry and black huckleberry are common shrubs. Spotted wintergreen and Pennsylvania sedge are common understory species.
In openings following tree falls or other natural disturbances poverty oatgrass and little bluestem may occur with early successional trees such as black birch. Invasive exotic plants such as Japanese barberry, multiflora rose, winged euonymus, and shrub honeysuckles can occur in disturbed sites.pitch pine, sassafras, black birch, American beech, witch-hazel, black huckleberry, lowbush blueberry, maple-leaved viburnum, and Pennsylvania sedge.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 plant community is an oak dominated forest. In some places the canopy may be more open forming a woodland. Black oak and chestnut are common trees in association with scarlet oak, red oak, pignut hickory, white ash, eastern white pine, eastern hemlock, and in some locations pitch pine. Trees are generally lower is stature and productivity relative to forests in deeper soils. Lowbush blueberry and black huckleberry are common shrubs. Spotted wintergreen and Pennsylvania sedge are common understory species. In openings following tree falls or other natural disturbances poverty oatgrass and little bluestem may occur with early successional trees such as black birch
Community 1.2
Young forest (early successional)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 6. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. 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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