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Limestone Valleys and Coves

Ecoregion in Cherokee NF, Blue Ridge, Appalachian Mountains in TN, VA

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The Limestone Valleys And Coves ecoregion is a small but distinct area of narrow valleys and coves in the Blue Ridge Mountains (66) that are bordered by comparatively high mountains. It is underlain by interbedded sedimentary rock that can be dominated by carbonates; limestone sinks occur in the valleys. Here, along the southern border of Virginia, the Blue Ridge overthrust belt forced rocks to the east up and over younger rocks to the west; the area is underlain by the Cambrian Rome Formation that is composed of shale, limestone, siltstone, and dolomite (Virginia Division of Mineral Resources, 1993). Soils are typically Alfisols, Ultisols, and Inceptisols and developed from residuum. Elevations are 2500 to 3000 feet. The frost-free period is 165 to170 days and average annual precipitation ranges from 40-45 inches.

— EPA

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