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Soil Survey Refinements Needed for Accurate Classification of Black Oak Site Quality in Southeastern Ohio¹

ABSTRACT

Soil-site studies of black oak in southeastern Ohio show that site index varies widely within upland soil types as they are now defined. In fact, the variation is so great that soil types alone cannot be used to estimate site accurately for any specific local area. Furthermore, average site indexes for most upland soil types in south-eastern Ohio are strikingly similar and it is evident that these soil types do not define either the very good or the very poor sites. At best, average site indexes for soil types alone can indicate only slightly different degrees of medium site quality.

Site index was found to be related to depth of surface soil, subsoil texture, subsoil stone content, aspect, slope position, and slope steepness. These factors can be used to modify existing soil series and soil type descriptions, to describe new soil types and phases, or to superimpose upon present soil classifications to attain better accuracy in site prediction. Greater precision in mapping forest site quality in southeastern Ohio should result.

¹ Contribution from the Athens field office of the Central States Forest Exp. Sta. maintained at Athens, Ohio by the Forest Service, USDA in cooperation with Ohio University. Presented before Div. V-A, Soil Sci. Soc. Am., Dec. 7, 1960, Chicago, Ill.

² Soil Scientist, Forest Service, USDA, Athens, Ohio.

Received for publication December 1, 1960. Accepted for publication April 19, 1961.