FIELD TRIF TO PINE KILLS AND THE 'UEkSr. NATURAL AREA, SPONSORED 

 BY THE ECOLOGICAL BOOlgtl 0» AMERICA, TFE NATURE 0ONS3RVANCY , 

 AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION CF BIOKXJX TEACHERS, ON FRIDAY, 



AUGUST 29, 1958 



Description of Fine Njlls 



Smith (1955) has described the geology and geomorphology of Pine Hills, 

 and presents a topographic map of the area. Pine Hills lies within the glacial 

 boundary in west central Indiana, occurring in the Till Plains Section of the 

 Central Lowland Province. The physiographically roost striking features of the 

 region are the deeply entrenched meanders with nearly vertical walls of two 

 tributaries of Sugar CMWfc. In referring to the sharp ridges, or backbones , 

 thus produced, Smith says, "Without exaggeration, they may be considered as the 

 most remarkable examples of incised meanders in the eastern United States. In 

 fact, although thoy aro exceeded in magnitude by such foaturos in the Rockies, 

 none exceeds them in perfection and in interest." The cause of meanders in 

 such youthful topography Smith attributes to the peculiar effects of weathering 

 and erosion in the Bordon formation, this being especially susceptible to 

 undercutting. All the bedrock exposed at Pine Hills is referred to this format- 

 ion, and is 'composed mostly of shaly sandstones, only a small portion of wmch 

 is fossiliforous. Owing to erosion glacial drift is thin to absent m the vic- 

 inity of the gorge. 



*7ith regard to tho vegetation, Friesner and Potzger (1954) have written: 

 "Bot^nically this region exhibits a larger number of oxcellent and clear-cut 

 for, st ecological areas and associations than any other region in Indiana known 

 to the writers. For example: There are wooded old flood-plain terraces along 

 the meendoring streams, where they have cut -vider alleys; second terraces or 

 still older flood plains now occupied by dense stands of deciduous forest tr.es; 

 upland plateaus into which tho canyens have been cut; Pinus-Tsuga slopes; 

 transition areas between the preceding tvo; Tsuga-ccverod canyon walls; Fmus- 

 Tsug* proves, and Tp.xus associations on north-facing canyon vralls where the angle 

 approximates 45 degrees." A vegetation map and quantitative data are presented 

 In Vie publication. The authors conclude that Acer srecharum is the climatic 

 climax" of this region, Fagus being greatly reduced compared tc the area of 

 Indiana to the east, tftjga canadensis , here at the western margin of its range 

 in the 'central strtos ,~^d ~Finu 9 strcbus are considered as relicts of a changing 

 pcst-lacial climate by those authors. Both these species occupy drier sites 

 than the adjacent Acer-Fagus forest, as suggested by soil moisture and evaporation 

 Studies in certain other Tsuga-Pinus site, in Indiana- Soil P H studies indicate 

 a decidedly core acid condition under the Tsuga stands than in ad 3 acent decid- 



o forest (Fotzger and Friesner 1956). The area has doubtless been selectively 

 lumbered in the past, and in fact, one of the backbones ( :ill-Cut Backbone ) 

 was excavated at one point in the 1850' s to operate a small woolen mi 1 Jor a 

 few years from the flow of water through the cut. The owners of the land have 

 planted several species of pines on abandoned fields on tho upland approaching 

 the gorge. 



Literature Cited 



Friesner, R. C, and J • 2. Potzger. 1954. Climax conditions geological 

 status of Pinus strcbus, Taxus canadensis , and Tgu£n canadensis m tho Pin. 

 Hills regioTTof Indiana- Sutler Univ. Botanical Studios 5'-6o-S5- 



Potzr.r, J. and ft. C Friesner. 1957- Soil acidity and hemlock reproduction 



in relic colonies in Indiana. Free Indiana Acad. Science 46:95-99- 



Smith, E. 8. 1955. The physiographic features of Pine Hills Nature Study Park, 

 Montgomery County, Indiana. Proc Indiana AcM. Science 42:155-161- 



