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Western Highland Rim

Ecoregion on Cumberland Plateau, Appalachian Mountains in TN, AL, KY

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The Western Highland Rim is characterized by dissected, rolling terrain of open hills, with elevations of 400-1000 feet. The geologic base of Mississippian-age limestone, chert, and shale is covered by soils that tend to be cherty, acid, and low to moderate in fertility. Streams are characterized by coarse chert gravel and sand substrates with areas of bedrock, moderate gradients, and relatively clear water. The oak-hickory natural vegetation was mostly deforested in the mid to late 1800’s, in conjunction with the iron-ore related mining and smelting of the mineral limonite, but now the region is again heavily forested. Some agriculture occurs on the flatter interfluves and in the stream and river valleys: mostly hay, pasture, and cattle, with some cultivation of corn and tobacco.

— EPA

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Ecoregion