Gneiss Soil Profile
In the soil profile from the adjacent forest of red white, and chestnut oaks, humus forms only a thin surface layer.
Gneiss
Gneiss, a granitic rock, weathers into a massive rough surface. These outcrops are valueless for farmland. The three-toothed cinquefoil which grows in crevices is a northern plant of rocky seacoast and sterile sands. It is found from Greenland and Labrador southward, and on headlands about the Great Lakes, extending as far as Georgia where it grows on a few open mountain tops. On Stissing Mountain it is accompanied by scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia). Lichens, such as rock-tripe (Umbilicaria), and mosses are pioneer settlers.
In the soil profile from the adjacent forest of red white, and chestnut oaks, humus forms only a thin surface layer.
Limestone
Limestone areas usually make excellent farmland because of the nutrients liberated by decomposition of the rock. On limestone slopes in eastern United States the yellow lady's slipper is fairly common. It has a wide distribution, but is now rare in western Europe owing to the destruction of forests and excessive picking. The purple-flowered showy orchids inhabits rich woods (not necessarily limestone), and extends just across the Canadian border.
The soil profile of the limestone slopes consists entirely of a loose, rich humus.
Limestone Soil Profile
The soil profile of the limestone slopes consists entirely of a loose, rich humus.
Limestone
Limestone areas usually make excellent farmland because of the nutrients liberated by decomposition of the rock. On limestone slopes in eastern United States the yellow lady's slipper is fairly common. It has a wide distribution, but is now rare in western Europe owing to the destruction of forests and excessive picking. The purple-flowered showy orchids inhabits rich woods (not necessarily limestone), and extends just across the Canadian border.
The soil profile of the limestone slopes consists entirely of a loose, rich humus.
Calcareous Bog Soil Profile
The soil profile is entirely humus. Calcareous bogs or swamps in northeastern United States are frequently “mined” for humus.
Calcareous Bog
This calcareous, or lime, bog is not far from the marl pond, and traces of marl may be found along the drainage brook. The showy lady’s slipper, probably once occupying such a bog but long since exterminated in this region, occurs also in western China. The larch trees (Larix) and tussock sedge (Carex stricta) are not limited in the choice of soil.
The soil profile is entirely humus. Calcareous bogs or swamps in northeastern United States are frequently “mined” for humus.
Marl
Only a few marl ponds are known in New York State, and their borders are always occupied by unusual plants. Marl, composed chiefly of shells, was formerly used as a fertilizer, but it sometimes contains harmful substances. The Shrubby cinquefoil, or hardhack, has its center if variation in southwestern China. In western Europe it is found only an half a dozen localities, because its range has been disrupted by glaciation. The little marl sedge (Carex Viridula) occurs along the seacoast and inland in calcareous regions from Newfoundland to southwestern Alaska.
The soil profile is composed mainly of shells.
Quartzite
The Poughquag Quartzite has bluish gray tone and a sharp fracture. The land is useless for agriculture.
The pink lady’s slipper, found in sterile woodlands, dry coastal sands, or sometimes in acid bogs, is far more abundant than either the yellow or the showy species. The checkerberry (also called wintergreen, teaberry, and mountain tea) grows in similar places, and the mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a frequent companion.
The soil profile shows a very thin layer of humus.
Shale Rocks Soil Profile
The soil profile from shale woodlands shows that humus accumulates moderately in these forest over a long period of time.
Shale Rocks
The shale rocks of the Hudson River Series often develop a slaty cleavage, and fertility of the derived soils is variable, though decidedly on the poor side. Shale pasture lands rapidly erode unless woodlands are left standing. The columbine has a wide distribution in eastern United States in a variety of soils.
The soil profile from shale woodlands shows that humus accumulates moderately in these forest over a long period of time.
Relations of Plants to Geology and Soil
Part of Hall of New York State Environment.
