Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
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Ecoregions of
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| 42f. Southern 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 Southern Missouri Coteau Slope differs from the Missouri Coteau Slope (42c) to the north; it has mesic soils rather than frigid soils and a substantial cap of rock-free loess. To the south, the coteau areas (42a, 42e) east of the Coteau Slope ecoregions (42c, 42f) become progressively narrower and more eroded. The level to rolling uplands of the Southern Missouri Coteau Slope are planted in sunflowers, wheat, millet, and barley. Corn is a marginal crop that does well in wet years. The stream drainages tend to be grazed. Willows, green ash, and elm grow in the riparian areas.
Physiography Area (square miles): 4673 Geology Surficial Material and Bedrock Soil Order (Great Groups) Climate Precipitation - Mean annual (inches) Potential Natural Vegetation Western wheatgrass, green needlegrass, big bluestem and needleandthread. Land Use and Land Cover Dominantly cropland, corn, small grains, grain sorghum, and alfalfa. |
U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/ndsdeco/42f.htm
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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 04:49:55 EST
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