Soil Survey Refinements for Predicting Black Oak Site Quality in Southeastern Ohio

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Abstract
Soil‐site studies in southeastern Ohio reveal the need for soil survey refinements for accurate classification of black oak (Quercus velutina Lam.) site quality. These studies also have identified the specific soil and topographic features closely related to oak‐site quality. This information is used as a basis for designing mapping units for more accurate estimation of oak‐site quality. Existing soil series are combined into two “woodland suitability groups,” each of which includes soils similar in average site quality and soil morphology. Then these two groups are phased, using the specific soil and topographic features known to be closely related to oak‐site quality. A large number of multiple regression equations are available for calculating the required phases, but equations based only on topographic features explain more than 75% of the height variation. They are the most practical for forest‐site quality phasing because they can be easily applied by using aerial photographs and topographic maps. The exceptional precision of the topographic equations is due to correlations between topography and soil features significantly related to oak site quality. Such close correlations have long been recognized by soil surveyors as a basis for delineating boundaries of soil mapping units. Hence, using these correlations as a basis for phasing for site estimation is a logical extension of present survey practices.

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