Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site QX197X01X506
Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest
Last updated: 8/22/2026
Accessed: 10/04/2026
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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): 197X–Volcanic Islands of American Samoa
This MLRA consists of the islands of Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega, and Tau. The islands have extremely steep, highly dissected mountains, small valleys, and a narrow coastal plain. More than half of the area has slopes of more than 70 percent. The highest elevations are 3,056 feet (931 meters) on Tau and 2,142 feet (653 meters) on Tutuila. The islands consist of Pleistocene-age, basic igneous rocks, mainly basalt with some andesite and trachyte (USDA-NRCS, 2006).
The climate is moist, warm, and humid. Average annual rainfall ranges from 125 inches (3,175 millimeters) to more than 250 inches (6,350 millimeters). Rainfall varies over short distances due to topography. The driest months are June through September; the wettest months are December through March. Average annual temperature is 81 degrees F (27 degrees C). Relative humidity is 73 to 90 percent throughout the year. Prevailing winds are easterly trade winds. Cyclones occasionally strike the area (USDA-NRCS, 2006).
Soils are Mollisols, Andisols, Entisols, Oxisols, and Histosols. Soil moisture regimes are udic or perudic; the soil temperature regime is isohyperthermic. Natural vegetation is mostly tropical hardwood forest (USDA-NRCS, 2006).Classification relationships
This ecological site occurs within Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) 197 – Volcanic Islands of American Samoa.
Ecological site concept
This ecological site occurs on the islands of Tutuila, Aunuu, Ofu, Olosega, and Tau in American Samoa. It is on gently sloping to very steep (6 to 70 percent) mountainsides and uplands at elevations ranging from 0 to 1,500 feet (0 to 460 meters) elevation. Easiest access is on the eastern side of Tutuila and restricted elsewhere.
Soils are in the Oxisols order or Andic or Typic Hapludolls (Mollisols) subgroup. They formed in residuum, residuum with volcanic ash, or volcanic ash over a layer of highly weathered tuff. Soil temperature regimes are isohyperthermic; soil moisture regimes are udic. Average annual rainfall ranges from 150 to 230 inches (3,810 to 5,840 millimeters). Closest weather station average precipitation is 115 to 197 inches (2,920 to 5,000 milllimeters). Water runoff is medium to high. Effective rooting depths range from 22 to more than 60 inches (55 to more than 150 centimeters). Rock fragment content is low (USDA-SCS, 1984).
This forest type has high plant species diversity. The tree canopy grows up to 100 feet (30 meters) tall. Ground cover is moderate to dense; epiphytes and climbing plants are abundant (USDA-SCS, 1984; Whistler, 2002).Associated sites
QX197X01X001 Coastal Marsh
Coastal Marsh Ecological Site adjoins Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where uplands and mountain slopes descend to coastal depressions near sea level. Coastal Marsh Ecological Site ascends to 20 feet elevation and has very poorly drained soils, in contrast with Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site, which occurs on slopes up to 1,500 feet elevation and has well drained soils.
QX197X01X501 Mangrove Swamp
Mangrove Swamp Ecological Site adjoins Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where uplands and mountain slopes descend to partially-protected areas of the coast that are open to seawater. It ascends to 20 feet elevation and has very poorly drained soils, in contrast with Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site, which occurs on slopes up to 1,500 feet in elevation and has well drained soils.
QX197X01X502 Sandy Littoral Forest
Sandy Littoral Forest Ecological Site adjoins Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site where uplands and mountain slopes descend to sandy coastlines. It ascends to 20 feet elevation, undergoes occasional, very brief to brief flooding by seawater, and has somewhat excessively to excessively drained soils. In contrast with Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site, which occurs on mountain slopes up to 1,500 feet in elevation, undergoes no flooding, and has well drained soils.
QX197X01X509 Very Steep Forest
Very Steep Forest Ecological Site adjoins Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecologial SIte in mountainous areas where very steep slopes border on less steep slopes. Very Steep Forest Ecological Site soils are Andisols and Andic Mollisols on slopes of 40 to 100 percent. Tuff or Rock Subsurface Forest Ecological Site consists of Andisols, Andic Mollisols, and Oxisols on slopes of 6 to 70 percent.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Syzygium
(2) DysoxylumShrub Not specified
Herbaceous (1) Angiopteris evecta
(2) Lomagramma cordipinnaLegacy ID
F197XY506AS