Shale

Part of Hall of New York State Environment.

Museum case containing illustrations, graphics and models explaining the relations of plants to geology and soil in shale terrain.

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.