ECOLOGICAL UNITS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES

FIRST APPROXIMATION

Compiled at 1:1,000,000 scale in participation with
federal and state agencies and non-governmental partners by: 

James E. Keys, Jr.; Constance A. Carpenter; Susan L. Hooks; Frank G. Koenig
W. Henry McNab; Walter E. Russell; Marie-Louis Smith
 
USDA Forest Service

Southern Region
Eastern Region
Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
Northeastern and North Central Forest Experiment Stations
Southern Research Station
Washington Office

1995

CITATION

Keys, Jr.,J.; Carpenter, C.; Hooks, S.; Koenig, F.; McNab, W.H.; Russell, W.;
Smith, M.L. 1995. Ecological units of the eastern United States - first
approximation (cd-rom), Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service. GIS coverage in ARCINFO format, selected imagery, and map unit tables.

REGIONAL CONTACTS:
James E. Keys, Jr....(404-347-7223)
Southern Region, Atlanta
Constance A. Carpenter..(603-868-7698)
Northeastern Area, S&PF, Durham, NH

1995 CD-ROM

ECOLOGICAL UNITS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES -- FIRST APPROXIMATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

         Background
         Development of the Information
         Suggestions for Data Base Users
         References

APPENDIX.

         CD-ROM Disc Organization
         Selected Glossary
         Acknowledgments
         Selected Regional References
         Scientific Names/ Vegetative Species

1995 CD-ROM

ECOLOGICAL UNITS OF THE EASTERN UNITED STATES
FIRST APPROXIMATION

INTRODUCTION

Background

The U.S. Forest Service, in participation with numerous individuals of federal and state agencies and non-government organizations, is preparing an ecological map and characterization data of the eastern United States. Ecological mapping and description follow the Forest Service's National Framework for Ecological Units (ECOMAP, 1993).

This subregional (subsection) presentation represents a status or first approximation of an effort to develop units which integrate, in an ecologically meaningful way, information from individual disciplines, single-purpose maps and existing regionalizations. This interdisciplinary approach highlighted the need for continued efforts to overcome geopolitical and administrative bias in primary data sources. Development of ecological units and descriptive data is an iterative process which will progress as additional information becomes available and from peer review and comments by users of this information.

This Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) contains 1)a file of the map: Ecological Units of the Eastern United States -- First Approximation in ARCINFO format (Version 7.0), 2)imagery for use in association with the ARC file, and 3)descriptions of ecological units. The CD-ROM is being provided to supplement the map and allow partners more flexibility in the use and review of the information.

Development of the Information

The mapping and description of ecological units involved many people and disciplines at the federal and state level including non-governmental organizations. Mapping was compiled at scales of 1:500,000 and 1:1,000,000 by regional or state teams and recompiled at a scale of 1:1,000,000 for this publication.

Many national, regional and state sources of information were used in identifying ecological units. Some significant ones included: Quaternary Geologic Atlas of the United States, U.S. Geological Survey; State Soil Geographic Soil Database, Natural Resources Conservation Service; Ecoregions and Subregions, Environmental Protection Agency; Hammond's Classes of Land Surface Form, U.S. Geological Survey; State Natural Heritage Maps and Classifications; Physiographic Maps; Land Cover Types; and State Natural Habitat Regions and Vegetative Life Zones of Puerto Rico.

During map compilation at 1:1,000,000, regional and state teams followed steps that provided for integration of source information and fine-tuning of section, province, division and domain lines mapped in Ecoregions and Subregions of the United States. 1994. (Avers et al). In their consideration of aquatic systems during ecological mapping and description, compilers also used the Hierarchical Framework of Aquatic Ecological Units of North America (Maxwell, et. al.) and Cowardin's classification of wetlands and deep water habitats of the United States.

Each map unit is described by physical and biological components, or elements, that have a significant influence on ecological relationships, processes, and potential. In addition to physical and biological components, principal classes of land use are included to give insight into human utilization of land and water resources within ecological units. In the ARCINFO data, Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) and EPA Ecoregions are provided as well as potential fauna for some ecological units that are solely aquatic. Following is an explanation of the information used to describe components associated with each map unit.

Subsection - Map unit identification symbol and name.

Geomorphology; Elevation - Geomorphology refers to the classification, description, nature, origin, and development of present landforms. Landform terminology and definitions generally follow those used in by Hammond (1970). Elevation is the range of altitudes occurring in the map unit.

Quaternary geology; Stratigraphy and lithology - Quaternary geology refers to the system of deposits corresponding to the second period of the Cenozoic era, following the Tertiary. It begins two to three million years ago and extends to the present and consists of recently formed, generally unconsolidated deposits such as glacial products, water and wind deposits, and deposits of volcanic origin. Stratigraphy is the arrangement of rocks as classified by geographic position and chronological order. Lithology is the description of rocks on the basis of such physical characteristics as manner of origin, composition and texture. The following abbreviations are used with this component:

                   Dev.   - Devonian
                   Il.    - Illinoian
                   Miss.  - Mississippian
                   Paleo. - Paleozoic
                   Penn.  - Pennsylvanian
                   Wis.   - Wisconsinan

 Soil taxa; Temperature and moisture regimes - Characteristics of soils are presented for each subsection by listing soil taxonomic units at the great group level in the Soil Taxonomy (USDA Soil Conservation Service 1992). Biological processes in the soil are controlled predominately by soil temperature and moisture. Temperature and moisture regimes are properties of the whole soil rather than specific horizons and are included to help characterize the soil environment of ecological units.

Climate - P(in) -   The average annual precipitation in inches. If precipitation varies significantly across the ecological unit, the range is presented. T(F.) -   The average annual temperature in Fahrenheit. If temperature varies significantly across the ecological unit, the range is presented.

GS(d) -   The average length of growing season (days). If the growing season varies significantly across ecological unit, the range is presented. Growing season is the number of days when air temperature is above freezing. 

Potential vegetation - Potential vegetation for terrestrial map units is approximated by the alliance level of The Nature Conservancy's draft regional community classifications being developed as a cross-walk of State Natural Heritage classifications by various regions for the eastern United States (Faber-Langendoen, D. 1993, Sneddon, L.; Anderson, M.; Metzler, K. 1994, Weakley, A.; and others. 1995). The common names for regional alliances shown in this table differ in format from region to region as they have not been standardized. The following abbreviations are used as suffixes with alliances for the Southeast Region of The Nature Conservancy:

                   FA  - Forest Alliance
                   WA  - Woodland Alliance
                   SWA - Sparse Woodland Alliance
                   SA  - Shrubland Alliance
                   SSA - Sparse shrubland Alliance
                   DSA - Dwarf Shrubland Alliance
                   SDA - Sparse Dwarf Shrubland Alliance
                   HA - Herbaceous Alliance.

Information on potential fauna is provided for some aquatic ecological units and was obtained from The Encyclopedia of Geomorphology (Fairbridge, W.F. 1968).  Assistance from state organizations is necessary to develop more useful information on potential for aquatic fauna.

Surface water characteristics - Relative occurrence and distinguishing characteristics of rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands. 

Human use - Major human use of the ecological unit that affects the potential of vegetation or fish.
 
Tables of the above attributes are also being provided with the map. This will allow for partners without a CD-ROM reader to immediately use the information. These tables are arranged by Section, and only the most predominant descriptors are listed under each categorical element. Where several descriptors are listed, they are arranged by decreasing importance or prevalence within a Subsection. The term "Reserved" is used to indicate that descriptive information has not been identified for a component. Omitted information may be supplied in successive CD-ROM and map updates.

Suggestions for Users

The USDA Forest Service is a charter member of a federal interagency and interdisciplinary approach to delineate and describe common ecological units of the United States. The GIS coverage and supporting attributes contained in this CD-ROM should considered a draft of the current status of the Forest Service and participating federal and state agencies and non-governmental organizations in ecological mapping at a scale of 1:1,000,000 in the eastern United States. Delineation of ecological units is a complex and interactive, iterative process that continually evolves as knowledge increases, and users are urged to participate in the improvement of the accuracy of the map and descriptive information.

 SELECTED REFERENCES

Cowardin, L.M.; Carter, V.; Golet, F.F.; LaRoe, E.T. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 131 p.

ECOMAP. 1993. National hierarchical framework of ecological units. USDA Forest Service. Washington, DC. 20 p.

Faber-Langendoen, D. (Editor) 1993. Midwest regional community classification framework, 1995 Update. The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Heritage Task Force, Minneapolis, MN, USA 34 pp.

Fairbridge, R. W. 1968. The encyclopedia of geomorphology. Encyclopedia of earth sciences series, Vol. III. New York, NY. Reinhold Book Corporation. 1295 p.

Hammond, E.H. 1970. Classes of land-surface form (map). In National Atlas of the United States of America. Washington, DC: Geological Survey, U.S. Dep. Interior. Scale 1:7,500,000; colored

Keys, Jr., J.E., McNab, W.H. Unpubl. Subsection mapping and description in the Southern Region of the Forest Service. Report on file, USDA Forest Service, Southern Region, Atlanta, GA. 6 p.

Maxwell, J.R. and others. Unpubl. A hierarchical framework of aquatic ecological units in North America. USDA Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-

Smith, M.L.; Carpenter, C.A. (in press). Application of the USDA Forest Service national hierarchical framework of ecological units at the subregional level: The New England-New York example. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 

Sneddon, L.; Anderson, M.; Metzler, K. 1994. A classification and description of terrestrial community alliances in The Nature Conservancy's Eastern Region. Boston, MA: The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Region. 124 p.

Weakley, A.; and others. 1995. A vegetation classification for the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, NC: The Nature Conservancy - Southeast Regional Office. 205 p.

USDA Soil Conservation Service. 1992. Keys to Soil Taxonomy, 5th edition. SMSS technical monograph No. 19. Blacksburg, VA: Pocahontas Press, Inc. 556 p.

US Geological Survey. (Date varies). Quaternary geologic maps of various 4 degree by 6 degree quadrangles of the United States. Miscellaneous Investigations Series, Map I-1420. Washington, DC: US Department of Interior, Geological Survey.

USDA Soil Conservation Service. 1981. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States. Agric. Handb. No. 296. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 156 p. [now Natural Resources Conservation Service].

APPENDIX

CD-ROM DISC ORGANIZATION

Data on the CD-ROM are arranged so that similar data types are under the following directory names:

ROOT Directory:  Includes this file (README.1ST) and an ArcView 2.1
                             project file (EASTWIDE.APR) which is constructed
                             to access data from the root directory of drive
                             D.  If the CD-ROM drive on your unit is other than
                             D, you must redirect ArcView by answering all of
                             the "where is" questions properly or edit the
                             project file replacing "d:" with the proper drive
                             letter on your unit.

-COVERAGE:      ArcINFO coverages of state boundaries, National
                             Forest and Grassland boundaries, and the
                             ecological unit boundaries are located in this
                             directory.

-IMAGES:             There are four images with associated world files
                             in this directory: shaded relief, color elevation,
                             and images of the printed map, one at scanned at
                             250 dpi and another version of the same file
                             resampled to a resolution of 125 dpi.

-TEXT:                 The files in this directory include a narrative
                             description of the ecological units in WordPerfect
                             4.2 and ASCII format, and summary tables of this
                             information in Microsoft Excell and dBase IV
                             format.

-SECTIONS:        This directory extends from the TEXT directory.
                             The files in this directory provide narrative
                             descriptions of each section along with
                             bibliography, glossary and principal compilers.

A README.TXT file is included in each directory with descriptions of the files found at that level.

 SELECTED GLOSSARY

ARCINFO FORMAT - A proprietary format for GIS data developed by ESRI, Redlands,
California.

BIOLOGICAL COMPONENT - Living parts of ecosystems consisting of flora and fauna that respond and adapt to changes in the physical components and which help
characterize the ecological potential of a classification unit.

ECOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION AND MAPPING - A hierarchical, multi-factor approach to categorizing and delineating, at different levels of resolution,
areas of land and water having similar capabilities and potentials for management.

ECOLOGICAL UNIT - A mapped landscape unit designed to meet management
objectives, comprised of one or more ecological types.

ECOLOGICAL TYPE - A category of land and/or water having a unique combination
of biological potential, soil, landscape feature, and climate, and differing from other ecological types in its ability to produce organisms and respond to management.

ECOSYSTEM - A complete interacting system of organisms and their environment.

LANDSCAPE - A heterogeneous land area composed of a cluster of interacting ecosystems that is repeated in a similar form throughout, and can be viewed at
one time from one place.

MULTI-FACTOR - Classification methodology whereby biological and physical
components are evaluated simultaneously to arrive at the appropriate ecological potential of a map unit.

POTENTIAL VEGETATION - The biotic community that would be established if all
successional sequences of its ecosystem were completed without additional human-caused disturbance under present environmental conditions.

SOIL GREAT GROUP - A category of soil classification where soils are placed
together based on close similarities in kind, arrangement, and degree of expression of horizons; close similarities in soil moisture and temperature regimes; and similarities in base status.

SOIL MOISTURE REGIME - Classes of soil moisture that are based on the
assumption that the soil supports whatever vegetation it is capable of supporting. Moisture regimes are defined in terms of the ground-water level and in terms of the absence or presence of water held at a tension of <15 bars in the moisture control section by periods of the year.

SOIL TEMPERATURE REGIME - The characteristic temperature regime of a soil that
is described by the mean annual soil temperature, the average seasonal fluctuations from that mean, and the mean warm or cold seasonal soil-temperature gradient within the main root zone, which is the zone from a depth of 5 to 100 cm.

SUBSECTION - An ecological unit in the subregion planning and analysis scale of
the National Hierarchical Framework corresponding to subdivisions of a Section into areas with similar surficial geology, lithology, geomorphic process, soil great groups, subregional climate, and potential vegetation. 

SUBREGION - A scale of planning and analysis in the National Hierarchical Framework that has applicability for strategic, multi-forest, statewide, and multi-agency analysis and assessment. Subregions include Section and Subsection ecological units.

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Information in this table was developed by the combined efforts of many Forest Service personnel and other persons affiliated with federal and state governments, and non-governmental organizations.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Jim Keys, Southern Region

REGIONAL COMPILATION AND COORDINATION:

Constance Carpenter, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
Susan Hooks, Southern Region
Jim Keys, Southern Region
Henry McNab, Southern Research Station
Walter Russell, Washington D.C.

SUBREGIONAL COMPILATION AND COORDINATION

Mark Anderson, Ecologist, Eastern Regional Office of The Nature Conservancy
Don Faber-Langendoen, Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy Midwest Regional Office
James K. Jordan, Ecologist, Ottawa National Forest
Frank Koenig, USDA, Forest Service, Eastern Region
Karen Patterson, Ecologist, Southeast Regional Office of The Nature Conservancy
Marie-Louise Smith, Research Ecologist, Northeast Forest Experiment Station
Karen Sykes, Watershed Specialist, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
Alan Weakley, Ecologist, Southeast Regional Office of The Nature Conservancy

STATEWIDE DATA COMPILATION AND/OR  COORDINATION

CT:      Marie-Louise Smith, Research Ecologist, Northeast Forest Experiment
         Station,
DE:      Jim Olsen, Forester, Delaware Forest Service
IA:      Constance Carpenter, Hydrologist, Northeastern Areas State and Private
         Forestry
IL:      Max Hutchinson, Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy
         Andy Rorick, Geologist, Shawnee National Forest, Carbondale, Illinois
IN:      Michael Homoya, Ecologist, Division of Nature Preserves, Department of
         Natural Resources, Indianapolis, IN
         Pat Merchant, Soil Scientist, Hoosier National Forest, Brownstown, IN
KS:      Constance Carpenter, Hydrologist, Northeastern Areas State and Private
         Forestry, Durham, NH
KY:      Julian Campbell, Kentucky Chapter, The Nature Conservancy
MA:      Marie-Louise Smith, USFS Northeast Forest Experiment Station,
         Durham, NH
MD:      Ken Jolly, Supervisor, Public Land Stewardship 
         Jack Perdue, Forester, Program Development 
ME:      Stephen Fay, Soil Scientist, USFS, White Mountain National Forest
MI:      Joseph Gates, Soil Scientist, Huron-Manistee National Forest
         Eunice Padley, Eastern Regional Office
MN:      Barbara Leuelling, Soil Scientist, Superior National Forest
         James Jordan, Ecologist, Ottawa National Forest
         Dave Shadis, Chippewa National Forest
MO:      Timothy A. Nigh, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City,
         MO
         Walter A. Schroeder, Geographer, University of Missouri-Columbia
ND:      Constance Carpenter, Hydrologist, Northeastern Areas State and Private
         Forestry
NE:      Constance Carpenter, Hydrologist, Northeastern Areas State and Private
         Forestry, Durham, NH
WI:      Leonard Kempf, Soil Scientist, Chequemegon National Forest, 
         James Jordan, Soil Scientist, Ottawa National Forest
NH:      Stephen Fay, Soil Scientist, USFS, White Mountain National Forest
NJ:      Craig Coutros, Forester, New Jersey State Forest Service
NY:      Constance Carpenter, Hydrologist, USFS, Northeastern Area, 
         State and Private Forestry
OH:      Scott Brockman, Geologist, Ohio Geologic Survey, 
PA:      Dan Devlin, Chief, Resource Planning, Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry
RI:      Marie-Louise Smith, USFS, Northeast Forest Experiment Station, Durham, NH
TN:      Joy Broach, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
            Milo Pyne, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
VT:      Diane Burbank, Ecologist, USFS, Green Mountain and Finger Lakes
         National Forests Rutland, VT
WV:      Dr. Kenneth Carvell, Professor Forestry, ret., West Virginia, University
         Thomas DeMeo, Ecologist, Monongahela National Forest
KY, VA, NC, TN, NC, SC, GA, PR, TX, OK: Jim Keys, Soil Scientist; Susan Hooks
         Ecologist; Henry McNab, Research Forester; Southern Region and Station
FL, AL, MS, LA, AR: Jim Keys, Soil Scientist; Susan Hooks, Ecologist; Southern
 

REGIONAL ASSISTANT COMPILERS:

Nancy Burt, Soil Scientist, Green Mountain National Forest
Sally Browning, Soil Scientist, Nantahala National Forest
Tom Collins, Geologist, Jefferson National Forest
Steve Croy, Ecologist, George Washington National Forest
Art Degaetano, Climatologist, Northeast Regional Climate Center; 
Rob Evans, Ecologist, National Forests in Texas
Brian Fitch, Soil Scientist, Shawnee National Forest
Roger Fryar, Silviculturist, Cherokee National Forest
Julia Gibbons, Soil Scientist, Ozark National Forest
Art Goddard, National Forests in Alabama
Doug Hattersley, Geologist, Southern Region
Linda Houston, Geologist, Allegheny National Forest
Dave Lacy, Archaeologist, Green Mountain National Forest
Lance Lindwall, Forest Geologist, Huron-Manistee National Forest
William Moriarity, Soil Scientist, Allegheny National Forest
John Nesser, Regional Soil Scientist, Missoula, MT.
John Novosad, Soil Scientist, Kisatchie National Forest
Eunice Padley, Ecologist, USFS Eastern Regional Office
Bill Pell, Ouachita National Forest
Wendy Pistrang, Chattahoochee National Forest
Robert Maini, Environmental Scientist, University of New Hampshire-Durham
Lynda Richards, Ecologist, Mark Twain National Forest, Rolla, MO
Dick Rightmyer, Soil Scientist, Chattahoochee National Forest
Robin Roecker, Ecologist, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
Steve Roy, Fishery  Biologist, Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests
Bobby Scott, Soil Scientist, Cherokee National Forest
Steve Simon, Ecologist, National Forests in North Carolina
David Taylor, Ecologist, Daniel Boone National Forest
Linda Tracy, Geologist, Monongahela National Forest
Kenneth Vogt, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Columbia, MO
Jon Walker, Hydrologist, Daniel Boone National Forest
Linton Wright, Soil Scientist, Monongahela National Forest

It is impossible to properly thank all the folks from the various state, federal, and non-government organizations that have assisted in this project. The following list, organized subregionally, includes additional people that have provided continued assistance in map unit development, technical review, and information gathering. 

New England and New York States:

Scott Anderson, Asst. State Soil Scientist, NY
Charles Cogbill, Ecologist, Plainfield, VT
Art Degaetano, Climatologist, Northeast Regional Climate Center, NY
Ken Desmaris, New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands
Thomas Doake, Forester, Maine State Forest Service
Margaret Dochoda, Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Rick Enser, Ecologist, State Natural Heritage Programs, RI
Laura Falk, Planner, White Mountain National Forest, NH
John Gailbraith, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NY
Susan Gawler, Ecologist, Maine State Natural Heritage Program
Tyrone Goddard, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NY
Steve Gorley, Asst. State Soil Scientist, VT
Willis Hanna, Retired State Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation, NY
Wayne Hoar, Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, ME
Steve Hundley, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NH
Norm Kalloch, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, ME
Kippen Kolesinskas, State Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation
Service, CT
John Lanier, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Bill Leak, Research Silviculturist, Northeast Forest Experiment Station, NH
Jay Majowski, Forester, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Janet McMahon, Ecologist, The Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy
Kenneth  Metzer, Ecologist, State Natural Heritage Program
Thomas Minor, New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands
William Moriarity, Soil Scientist, Allegheny National Forest
Bill Moulton, Forester, Vermont Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation
Sid Pilgrim, ret. State Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NH
Bob Popp, Botanist, Vermont Nongame and Natural Heritage Program
David Publicover, Ecologist, Appalachian Mountain Club
Carol Reschke, Ecologist, New York Natural Heritage Program
Bill Rivers, Forester, Massachusettes Division of Forests and Parks
Clint Rumrill, New York Division of Lands and Forests
Dick Scanu, Asst. State Conservationist, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Greg Schmidt, New York Division of Lands and Forests
Dan Sperduto, Ecologist, New Hampshire Natural Heritage Programs:
Brian Stone, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Patricia Swain, Ecologist, Massachusettes Natural Heritage Programs:
William Taylor, Asst. State Soil Scientist, MA
Elizabeth Thompson, Ecologist, Vermont Nongame Natural Heritage Programs:
Tom Villars, Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service, VT
Mariko Yamasaki, Wildlife Biologist, Northeast Forest Experiment Station  

Mid Atlantic States 

Ashton Berdine, Ecologist, Maryland Natural Heritage Program
Thomas Breden, Ecologist, New Jersey, Natural Heritage Program
Charles Bier, Ecologist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
Tony Davis, Ecologist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
Randy Durner, Allegheny National Forest
Dennis Hull, Geologist, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Louis Iverson, Research Ecologist, Northeast Forest Experiment Station
Don Karas, Forester, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Julie Lundgren, Ecologist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
Linda Tracy, Geologist, Monongahela National Forest
Paul Trianosky, Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy
Jeffrey Wagner, Ecologist, Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
Bob Whipkey, Assistant Dep. Adm. Forester, WV Division of Forestry, 

Lake States:

Dennis Albert, Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Stu Behling, Geologist, Superior National Forest
Robert Berrisford, Hydrologist, Superior National Forest
Jeff Cardille, Land Information and Computer Graphic Facility, Univ of
Wisconsin-Madison
Dave Cleland, Ecologist, North Central Forest Experiment Station
Tom Crow, Project Leader, North Central Forest Experiment Station
Dan Hanson, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Brian Hargrave, Soil Scientist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Dave Hoppe, Soil Scientist, Nicolet National Forest
George Host, Natural Resources Research Institure, Univ. of Minnesota
Dave Hvizdack, Area Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Robert Kari, Soils Scientist, Superior National Forest
Joe Kovach,  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Dave Omernik, Area Soil Scientist, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Sherry Phillips, Soil Scientist, Superior National Forest
Dave Roberts, Soil Conservationist, Natural Resource Conservation Service
Kirsten Seleen, Hiawatha National Forest,
Janet Sibernagel, Hiawatha National Forest 
Judith Sikes, Ottawa National Forest
John Wright, Wildlife Biologist, North Central Experiment Station
Darrell Zastrow, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Iowa and Border States:

Jerry Freeouf, Regional Soil Scientist, Lakewood, CO
Kelly Kindscher, Ecologist, Kansas Natural Heritage Program
John Pearson, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

CORRELATION OF GEOLOGIC DESCRIPTIONS:

Andrew Rorick, Eastern Region Geologist, Shawnee National Forest
Jim Keys, Soil Scientist, Southern Region 

GIS/CARTOGRAPHY:

Susan DeLost, Cartographer, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
Harold H. Greenlee, Cartographer, Geometronics, Southern Region
Mike Hamby, Unit Leader, Geometronics Services, Southern Region
Thomas Luther, GIS Analyst, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry  
Joe W. Stallings, Cartographer, Geometronics, Southern Region
John Wright, Wildlife Biologist, North Central Forest Experiment Station

NATIONAL COORDINATION OF CARTOGRAPHY AND MAP DESIGN:

Robert G. Bailey, Geographer/Cartographer, Washington Office
Walter E. Russell, Soil Scientist, Washington Office

SELECTED REFERENCES USED BY THE EASTERN REGION

Albert, D. 1994.  Regional Landscape Ecosystems of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, A working map and classification (Fourth Revision: July 1994) : Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Billings, M.P. 1956.  The geology of New Hampshire: Part II - bedrock geology, Concord, NH:  New Hampshire State Planning and Development Commission. 203 p.

Dickenson, N.R. 1979.  A division of southern and western New York state into ecological zones.  Federal Aid to Fish and Wildlife Restoration Project. W-162-R. 56 p.

Doll, C.G., W.M. Cady, J.B. Thompson, Jr., M.P. Billings. 1961.  Centennial geologic map of Vermont.  Vt. Geol. Surv.

Faber-Langendoen, D. (Editor)  1993   Midwest Regional Community Classification Framework, 1995 Update.  The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Heritage Task Forece,
Minneapolis, MN, USA 34 pp. 

Germain, C. and Hole, F.D. 1994. Natural regions of Wisconsin.

Griffin, G.E., Omernik, J.M., Pierson, S.M. Hargrave, B., 1993 Draft.  The Upper Levels of an Ecological Classification System for Minnesota.  State of Minnesota, DNR Forestry.

Homoya, M.A., D.B. Abrell, J.R. Aldrich, T.W. Post. 1985.  The Natural Regions of Indiana.  Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Science.  Vol. 94.  Division of Nature Preserves, Department of Natural Resources, Indianapolis, IN p245-268.

Isachsen, Y.W., E. Landing, J.M. Lauber, L.V. Rickard, and W.B.Rogers, editors.  1991.  Geology of New York a simplified account.  New York State Museum/Geological Survey.  The University of the State of New York, albany, NY 12230.

Jacobs, E.C. 1950.  The physical feature of Vermont.  Vt. St. Dev. Dept. and Vt. Geol. Surv. Montpelier, Vt. 169 p.

Linebeck, J.E., 1979, Quaternary deposits of Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Map, Scale 1:500,000.

McMahon, J.S. 1990.  The biophysical regions of Maine:  Patterns in the landscape and vegetation.  Orono, ME:  University of maine.  119 p. Thesis.

Omernik, J.M., Griffith, G.E., and Pierson, S.M., 1993.  Ecoregion and Western Corn Belt Plains, Subregions of Iowa. map.  

Prior, Jean C. 1991.  Landforms of Iowa.  University of Iowa Press, Iowa City, Iowa.

Rogers, W.B., Y.W. Isachsen, T.D. Mock, and R.E. Nyahay.  1990.  New York State geological highway map.  Educational leaflet 33. The University of the State of New York.  The State Education Department, New York State Geological Survey, New York State Museum Cultural Education Center, Albany, NY 12230. 

Schwegman, J.E. and others, 1973, Natural divisions of Illinois: Illinois Nature Preserves Commision, Rockford Illinois, Map 1:1,000,000, Report 32 p.

Sneddon, L.; Anderson, M., and Metzler, K. 1994.  A classification and description of terrestrial community alliances in the Nature conservancy's Eastern Region.  Boston, MA: The Nature Conservancy - Eastern Region.  124p. 

Smith, M.L. and Carpenter, C. 1996.  Application of the USDA Forest Service National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units at the Subregional Level: The New England-New York Example, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Vol 39, 187-198

Will, G.B., Stumvoll, R.D., Gotie, R.F., Smith, E.S., 1982. The ecological zones of Northern New York.  New York Fish and Game Journal, Vol 29, No. 1. January, 25p. 

Willman, H.B. and others, 1967, Geologic Map of Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey Map, Scale 1:500,000.

Willman, H.B. and others, 1975, Handbook of Illinois stratigraphy: Illinois State Geological Survey Bulletin 95, 261 p.

SELECTED REFERENCES USED BY THE SOUTHERN REGION

Campbell, J.J.N. 1989. Historical evidence of forest composition in the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Seventh Central Hardwood Forest Conference. Carbondale, IL. p 231-246.

Cheshire, H.M. 1982. A physiographic system of forestland classification for North Carolina. Thesis. N.C. State University. 56 p.

Cowardin, L.M.; Carter, V.; Golet, F.F.; LaRoe, E.T. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 131 p.

Evans, D.L.; Burns, P.Y.; Linnartzs, N.E.; Robinson, C.J. 1983. Forest habitat regions of Louisiana. Research Report No. 1. School of Forestry and Wildlife Management. Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. 23 p.

Hodgkins, E.J.; Golden, M.S.; Miller, W.F. 1979. Forest habitat regions and types on a photomorphic-physiographic basis: A guide to forest site classification in Alabama-Mississippi. Southern Coop Series No. 210. 64 p.

Myers, R.K.; Zahner, R. Jones, S.M. 1986. Forest habitat regions of South Carolina. Forest Research Series No. 42. Department of Forestry. Clemson University. 31 p.

Pehl, C.E.; Brim, R.L. 1985. Forest habit regions of Georgia, Landsat IV imagery. Special Publication 31. Georgia Agricultural Experiment Station. 12 p.

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1981. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States. Agricultural Handbook 296. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 156 p.

Weakley, A.; and others. 1995. A vegetation classification for the Southeastern United States. Chapel Hill, NC: The Nature Conservancy - Southeast Regional Office. 205 p.

 SCIENTIFIC NAMES/VEGETATIVE SPECIES

This list contains the scientific names of common vegetative species that comprise alliances of potential natural communities used in this table. Common names follow those used by Weakley and others (1995).

American Beech - Fagus grandifolia
American Elm - Ulmus americana
Ashe's Red-Cedar - Juniperus ashei
Atlantic White Cedar - Chamaecyparis thyoides
Bald Cypress - Taxodium distichum
Bayahonda - Prosopis pallida
Big Bluestem - Andropogon gerardii
Bitter-nut Hickory - Carya cordiformis
Black Oak - Quercus velutina
Black Ash - Fraxinus nigra
Black Hickory - Carya texana
Blackjack Oak - Quercus marilandica
Black Needlerush - Juncus roemerianus
Cabbage Palmetto - Sabal palmetto
Cherrybark Oak - Quercus pagoda
Chestnut Oak (Rock Chestnut Oak) - Quercus prinus
Chinquapin Oak - Quercus muehlenbergii
Diamondleaf Oak - Quercus laurifolia 
Dildo - Pilosocerens rodyenii
Dove Plum - Coccoloba diversifolia
Eastern Juniper - Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana
Erizo - Melocactus intortus
Fraser Fir - Abies fraseri
Green Ash - Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Gulf Cordgrass - Spartina spartinae
Gulf-Dune Paspalum - Paspalum monostachyam
Gumbo Limbo - Bursera simaruba
Hackberry - Celtis occidentalis
Honey Mesquite - Prosopis glandulosa
Little Bluestem - Schizachyrium scoparium
Live Oak - Quercus virginiana
Loblolly Bay - Gordonia lasianthus
Loblolly Pine - Pinus taeda
Longleaf Pine - Pinus palustris
Mamey - Mammea americana
Melon de Costa - Melocactus intortus
Mockernut Hickory - Carya alba
Montillo - Sloanea berteriana
Northern Red Oak - Quercus rubra
Overcup Oak - Quercus lyrata
Oxhorn Bucida - Bucida buceras
Palma de Sierra - Prestoea montana
Pignut Hickory - Carya glabra
Pitch Pine - Pinus rigida
Pocosin Pine - Pinus serotina
Poisonwood - Metopium toxiferum
Pond Cypress - Taxodium ascendens
Pond Pine - Pinus serotina
Post Oak - Quercus stellata
Red Mangrove - Rhizophora mangle
Red Spruce - Picea rubens
River Birch - Betula nigra
Salt Grass - Distichlis spicata
Saltmarsh Cordgrass - Spartina alterniflora
Saltwort - Batis maritima
Sand Hickory - Carya pallida
Sand Pine - Pinus clausa
Saw Palmetto - Serenoa repens
Sawgrass - Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense
Scarlet Oak - Quercus coccinea
Sebucan - Pilosocerens rodyenii
Shagbark Hickory - Carya ovata
Shumard Oak - Quercus shumardii
Sierra Palm - Prestoea montana
Slash Pine - Pinus elliottii var elliottii
Southern hairgrass - Muhlengergia filipes
Southern Red Oak - Quercus falcata
South Florida Slash Pine - Pinus elliottii var. densa
Shortleaf Pine - Pinus echinata
Spanish Stopper - Eugenia foetida
Strangler Fig - Ficus aurea
Sugarberry - Celtis laevigata
Sugar Maple - Acer saccharum
Swamp Laurel Oak - Quercus laurifolia
Swamp Ti-Ti - Cyrilla racemiflora
Sweetgum - Liquidambar styraciflua
Switchgrass - Panicum virgatum
Tabonuco - Dacryodes excelsa
Turk's Cap Cactus - Melocactus intortus
Sycamore - Platanus occidentalis
Tracy's Beaksedge - Rhynchospora tracyi
Uvilla - Coccoloba diversifolia
Virginia Pine - Pinus virginiana
Water Oak - Quercus nigra
Water Tupelo - Nyssa aquatica
White Oak - Quercus alba
White Pine - Pinus strobus
Willow Oak - Quercus phellos
Yaupon Holly - Ilex vomitoria
Yellow Birch - Betula alleghaniensis
Yellow Buckeye - Aesculus flava
Yellow Indian-grass - Sorghastrum nutans
Yellow Poplar - Liriodendron tulipifera
Yellow Water Lily (Spatterdock) - Nuphar lutea

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