About 40 percent of the area is cropland, but the acreage varies widely from county to county, depending largely on the topography. Corn, soybeans, and wheat are the major crops, but tobacco is important in some parts. About 40 percent of the area is in forests of mixed hardwoods, but forest products are important in only a few parts of the area. About 17 percent is pasture used mostly for beef cattle.
Urban development is minor.
Stabilizing strip mine spoil is a major concern of management. Local relief generally is 50 to 100 m between ridgetops and the flood plains of local streams. The area is mostly hilly with broad undulating ridgetops on major divides. The flood plains and terraces of the Ohio River and its tributaries are nearly level to sloping. About 525 mm falls during the growing season.