East and Central Farming and Forest Region and Atlantic Basin Diversified Farming Region: LRRs N and S

Abstract

The East and Central Farming and Forest Region (Land Resource Region N) and the Atlantic Basin Diversified Farming Region (Land Resource Region S) of the central and eastern USA comprise the Interior Highlands, Interior Plains, Appalachian Highlands, and the Northern Coastal Plains. These regions include nearly level to gently rolling plains in the Interior Plains and the Northern Coastal Plains and rugged hills and mountains in the Interior Highlands and Appalachian Highlands. The climate is mild, and rainfall is plentiful for agriculture and the growth of forests. The underlying bedrock includes sedimentary rocks in the Interior Highlands and in the Interior Plains, metamorphic rocks in the Appalachian Highlands, and unconsolidated coastal plain sediments and glacial deposits in the Northern Coastal Plains. The soils of this region comprise Ultisols, Alfisols, and Inceptisols. Other important soil orders include Mollisols and Entisols. Hardwood and softwood forests are important throughout this region, and forests are the single most important land use followed by cropland and grassland. Urban land is more extensive near major metropolitan areas in the Northern Coastal Plains.