Northern Cumberland Plateau
(Area - 5,461,300 ha)
Description - This is a largely forested, gently rolling
tableland ranging from 300 m. To 580 m. in elevation. It is defined by the higher Eastern
Highland Rim of the Interior Low Plateaus on the west and the Cumberland Mountains of the
Ridge and Valley physiographic area on the east. The Cumberland Plateau extends south out
of this physiographic area, where it is included with the Southern Ridge and Valley, and
narrowly northward as well. As defined, the Northern Cumberland Plateau includes the
eastern third of Kentucky, southwestern West Virginia, a small area in western Virginia,
and a swath across Tennessee barely extending into Alabama and Georgia. Mixed mesophytic
forest dominated by oaks, hickory, and, historically, American chestnut, is the most
common cover type. Various pine species become more dominant on drier sites.
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Conservation recommendations and needs - Although conversion to urbanization, second home development, and highways is reducing bird habitat in the Northern Cumberland Plateau, it remains one of the most heavily forested of eastern physiographic areas. The remaining forest, however, differs in species composition and vegetative structure from historical conditions. Widespread harvest during settlement followed by selective harvest combined with fire suppression have reduced the extent of old-growth as well as early successional habitat. Structure of the expanse of middle-aged forest may not be optimal for some mid- and understory breeding birds. As a result of diminishing habitat quantity and quality, seven of the high priority birds listed above are undergoing significant population declines.
The overall objective for this area is to maintain current forest area (about 4,000,000 ha) and tract size, about 85% in hardwood or mixed pine-hardwood forest and 15% in short rotation pine. About 500,000 ha of this area should be managed for long rotation sawtimber or old growth. About 80% of the existing hemlock-white pine area, or 25,000 ha, should also be in long rotation or old growth. Use of fire should be increased in lower elevation yellow pine habitat on public lands. At least 4,000 ha should be managed as warm season grassland and 12,000 ha maintained in shrub-scrub condition.
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