Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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Ecoregions of
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| 42c. Missouri Coteau Slope | Level IV Ecoregion |
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42b. Collapsed Glacial Outwash |
The Northwestern Glaciated
Plains ecoregion marks the westernmost extent of continental glaciation.
The youthful morainal landscape has significant surface irregularity
and high concentrations of wetlands. The rise in elevation along the
eastern boundary defines the beginning of the Great Plains. Land use
is transitional between the intensive dryland farming on Ecoregion 46i
to the east and the predominance of cattle ranching and farming to the
west on the Northwestern Great Plains (43).
The Missouri Coteau Slope ecoregion declines in elevation from the Missouri Coteau (42a) to the Missouri River. Unlike the Missouri Coteau (42a) where there is a paucity of streams, the Missouri Coteau Slope has a simple drainage pattern and fewer wetland depressions. Due to the level to gently rolling topography, there is more cropland than on the Missouri Coteau (42a). Cattle graze on the steeper land that occurs along drainages.
Physiography Area (square miles): 5793 Geology Surficial Material and Bedrock Soil Order (Great Groups) Climate Precipitation - Mean annual (inches) Potential Natural Vegetation Western wheatgrass, needleandthread, prairie junegrass, green needlegrass. Land Use and Land Cover Mainly tilled agriculture of spring wheat, barley, alfalfa, silage corn. Some grazing on steep and saline or wet areas. |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/ndsdeco/42c.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 04:49:52 EST
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