The various steep slope geomorphic features, although differing in genesis, share many ecological similarities. Their precipitous exposed faces slough off rock fragments and shed water, while accumulating soil and nutrients at their bases. This process creates contrasting habitats: the dry bedrock faces with little soil or nutrient accumulation, and moist nutrient-rich talus on the foot slopes.
About 10% by count and 27% by acreage of all the steep slope features in the ecoregion were identified as critical in TNCs ecoregional assessment. These slopes amount in total to roughly ¼ of 1% of the entire region by acreage. Currently 64,000 acres are on lands protected for biodiversity, while 70,250 acres remain in need of active protection efforts.
Please see NAP Ecoregional Plan 2005, Steep Slope Ecosystems (Anderson, 2005) for more information.
(2) Landcover (from 30m gridded dataset for ecoregion) is natural (deciduous or coniferous or mixed forest, regenerating forest, open/bare, shrub, wetland, water). Performed a couple of steps to make sure that entire steep occurrence is included in dataset, even if part of it is outside the Northern Appalachian Ecoregion.