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Unglaciated High Allegheny Plateau

Ecoregion in Appalachian Mountains, Allegheny Plateau in PA, NY

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The Unglaciated Allegheny High Plateau ecoregion is a deeply dissected highland composed of plateau remnants, rounded hills, low mountains, and narrow valleys. It is characterized by extensive forests, a short growing season, nutrient-poor residual soils, high local relief, nearly horizontal strata, resistant rock, and oil wells. Overall, the area is very rugged with steep valley sides, entrenched streams, high-gradient channels, and many waterfalls. Local relief is typically 550-700 feet (168-213 m) and reaches about 1,300 feet (396 m) in valleys that were cut by large volumes of glacial melt water. The terrain is nowhere muted by glaciation, although its western-most parts were covered by at least two pre-Wisconsinan glaciations. Hilltop elevations increase northeastward across Ecoregion 62d. They are commonly 1,700-2,200 feet (518-671 m) and are high enough to insure a cool, humid climate with long winters. The growing season lasts only 100-160 days, depending on elevation and other microclimatic controls. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 35 to 44 inches (89-112 cm) and increases westward. Most of the soils are frigid Ultisols and Inceptisols that are low in fertility, often steep, stony, and acidic, and were derived from noncarbonate sedimentary rock.

— EPA

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