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Glaciated High Allegheny Plateau

Ecoregion in Appalachian Mountains, Allegheny Plateau in PA

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The Glaciated Allegheny High Plateau ecoregion is a deeply dissected and forested highland composed of plateau remnants, rounded hills, low mountains, and narrow valleys. Locally, especially in the south, the terrain has been noticeably smoothed by glaciation. Here, many closed depressions and blocked valleys occur and contain small lakes or shallow ponds. Nearly horizontal, resistant strata of Mississippian to Devonian age underlie Wisconsinan drift and are responsible for the highland. The Burgoon Sandstone is a prominent ridge former. Hilltop elevations are commonly 1,900-2,300 feet (579-701 m), which is high enough to ensure a short growing season of 100-165 days. Local relief is about 300-700 feet (91-213 m) and reaches approximately 800 feet (244 m) in Pine Creek Gorge. Mean annual precipitation ranges from 33 to 39 inches (84-99 cm). Most of the soils are frigid Inceptisols, derived from acidic glacial drift, that are stony, acidic, low in fertility, and often steep (Ciolkosz, 1989; Cunningham and Ciolkosz, 1983; Higbee, 1967).

— EPA

Plants

American Pokeweed Phytolacca americana (species), “Virginian Pokeweed”, “Pokeweed”, “Inkberry”, “American Nightshade”, “Cancer Jalap”, “Coakum”, “Garget”, “Pigeon Berry”, “Pocan Bush”, “Poke Root”, “Red Ink Plant”, “Redweed”, “Scoke”

Glaciated High Allegheny Plateau

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