Piedmont Mountains

The Sauratown Mountains, one of the larger Piedmont mountains ranges. Located in North Carolina

The Piedmont Mountains are outlying mountains in the United States, sometimes called “low mountains”, that typically occur in the western Piedmont near the Blue Ridge. Most of the features within the Piedmont physiographic region of North America lie either on the eastern border where the plateau plunges onto the Coastal Plain at the Fall Line, in the broad valleys of the river systems, or on the western border where Piedmont Mountains likely occur. Occasionally, due to diverse rock formations, folds and outcroppings, these mountains can rise at various locations across the Piedmont like the Uwharrie Mountains in North Carolina or the Pine Mountain Range in Georgia. Most of these mountains, or hills, are what is left of ancient eroded mountains.^[1] Some, like Stone Mountain in Georgia, are solitary rock domes called Monadnocks which become further exposed with erosion. The Piedmont is part of the greater Appalachian Mountain Range and is also referred to as the Appalachian Plateau. The French definition of piedmont in itself translates as foothill; however, a Piedmont Mountain may be that of greater significance or prominent elevation.^[2]

Flora and fauna

The Georgia Oak, an uncommon species found predominately on Stone Mountain in Georgia

The native plants and animals on these mountains vary in diversity. Many of the plants that can be found in the Appalachian Mountains to the west may be found isolated upon these hills. Consequently, much of the vegetation common to the Piedmont may be sited here as well and lead to hybridization or species exclusively found at particular sites. This fact alone sometimes lead to an areas protection as well as the notoriety of the location itself being an oddity.^[3]

Location

The regions of the United States

The Piedmont extends north from mid-eastern Alabama to extreme southern New York. Almost ninety percent of the Piedmont lies south below the Mason–Dixon Line before permeating into the New England region.^[4] Therefore, the Piedmont Mountains in the Southeast occur less frequently (in a larger area) and are more prominent. Once the Piedmont enters Pennsylvania it comes into contact with a total of four physiographic provinces as the Piedmont itself begins to terminate. Here, the regional territories are less defined and the hills seem to scatter. It is also in this vicinity that the Appalachian Trail leaves the Blue Ridge, climbs onto the Ridge and Valley (very near Piedmont Mountains) and enters the New England region.

References