Week 14 The Piedmont Plateau notes
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Questions and Answers

The general topography of the Piedmont is characterized by ______ ranging from 100-500 feet above sea level

gently rolling topography

The major geologic event that helped shape the current topography and soils of the Piedmont is ______ from underlying igneous and metamorphic bedrock

weathering over 100 million years

The Serpentine Barrens, such as the Soldier’s Delight Serpentine Barrens in western Baltimore County, are unique because they are underlain by ______ that contains very little quartz and aluminum-bearing minerals and consists mainly of serpentine

serpentinite, a greenish-black rock

The main forest type in the Piedmont includes ______, including blackjack, post, and Chestnut Oak

<p>various species of oak</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the most common wetland types found in the Piedmont region

<p>deciduous forested wetlands, typically found on floodplains in stream valleys</p> Signup and view all the answers

How has wetland cover changed over time in the Piedmont and what have been the main impacts

<p>wetland cover has decreased and the main impacts have been loss of habitat and decreased water quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the Native Americans utilize and alter the landscape and vegetation found in the Piedmont region

<p>utilized for food, shelter, and tools; altered through controlled burns and selective clearing</p> Signup and view all the answers

What impacts did European colonization have on the Piedmont environment

<p>dramatic deforestation and conversion of land for agriculture and urban development</p> Signup and view all the answers

How would you describe the present-day landscape in the Piedmont region

<p>consists of thick silt-clay soils called saprolites, weathered for over 100 million years from underlying igneous and metamorphic bedrock</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Piedmont forests change over time

<p>from sapling layer to canopy layer</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did this affect the assortment of animals found in the region

<p>provided different habitats and food sources for a variety of animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best represents impacts to Piedmont forests following European colonization

<p>European colonization led to dramatic deforestation of the area</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Piedmont topography

Characterized by gently rolling hills ranging from 100-500 feet above sea level.

Weathering

A major geologic event shaping the Piedmont's soils from igneous and metamorphic bedrock over 100 million years.

Serpentine Barrens

Unique areas underlain by serpentinite, a rock with low quartz and aluminum content.

Piedmont forest types

Includes various species of oak such as blackjack, post, and Chestnut Oak.

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Wetland types

Commonly found are deciduous forested wetlands on floodplains of stream valleys.

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Wetland cover change

Decline in wetland cover leading to habitat loss and decreased water quality.

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Native American landscape use

Utilized for food, shelter, and tools; altered through controlled burns and selective clearing.

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European colonization impacts

Resulted in dramatic deforestation and conversion for agriculture and urban development.

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Current Piedmont landscape

Consists of thick silt-clay soils called saprolites, weathered from underlying bedrock.

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Forest layer change

Piedmont forests evolved from a sapling layer to a canopy layer.

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Animal habitat change

Variety of habitats and food sources arose due to forest layer changes.

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Deforestation statement

European colonization led to significant deforestation of the Piedmont area.

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Study Notes

Piedmont Topography and Geology

  • Piedmont topography features rolling hills and valleys, ranging from 100-500 feet above sea level.
  • Uplift of underlying igneous and metamorphic bedrock significantly shaped the Piedmont's current topography and soils.
  • Serpentine Barrens, like Soldier's Delight, are unique due to their underlying bedrock, low in quartz and aluminum, and primarily composed of serpentine.

Piedmont Forests and Wetlands

  • Piedmont forests predominantly consist of oak species, including blackjack, post, and chestnut oak.
  • Common Piedmont wetlands include swamps, marshes, and pocosins.
  • Wetland coverage in the Piedmont has decreased significantly due to urbanization, agriculture, and development, impacting water quality and biodiversity.

Human Impacts on the Piedmont

  • Native Americans practiced sustainable agriculture and utilized Piedmont resources without causing widespread ecosystem disruption.
  • European colonization led to deforestation, soil erosion, and significant alterations to the landscape through intensive agriculture and urbanization.
  • Present-day Piedmont landscapes showcase a mix of urban areas, agricultural lands, and remaining forests, reflecting historical human impacts.

Piedmont Forest and Fauna Change Over Time

  • Piedmont forests have undergone significant changes over time, transitioning from diverse old-growth forests to fragmented stands influenced by human activities.
  • These forest changes resulted in alterations to animal populations, with some species declining while others adapted to the altered habitats.
  • European colonization's impact on Piedmont forests involved widespread deforestation. This resulted in habitat loss and fragmentation, significantly affecting the abundance and distribution of various animal species.

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Test your knowledge of Piedmont geography and geology with this quiz. Answer questions about the topography, borders, and geologic events of the region. See how much you know about this gently rolling terrain and its major geological characteristics.

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